


WmAffl 



I 



H - iBEilKl 



£$jBi«2$23Kflti 









■ ■•■■ : - ■ --v- -.■•■.■ : 

''■"<■■•• .■',■,'..••.,:• - 



f^^% 



ite£r- ^^1 







LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 
SheKAfilLs, 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 





TRUE LIKENESS OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA. 

A copj of the true likeness of St. Anthonv of Padua, 
which through the kindness of 1 [is Grace the Archbishop of 
Spoleto, has been taken for the Association of St. Anthony, 
trom the original fresco, preserved in the Palace della Genga, 
in Spoleto. This fresco was broughl from Padua to Spoleto 
in ti u - ve ar 1232, on tin- occasion of the Saint's Canonization, 
and presented bj the dele-ate- of tin- citizens of Padua, to the 
then reigning Pontiff Pope Gregor} IV residing al thai time 
in Spoleto, and w ho \\ i'h the solemn ceremoniesol the Church 
inscribed the Blessed Anthonj in the Catalogue of the Saint-. 



LIFE OR 



ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA 



Rev. Father UBALDUS DA RIETI, 



o. s. F. 



JUN 8*1895] 






lS 95 



ANGEu 3UARDIAN PRESS, 
BOSTON. 



The Library 
op Congress 






b 



Copyrighted, 1S95, 

Bv BROTHERS OF ClIAK-II Y. 

All rights reserved. 



New York, March 5. 1895. 

Imprimi ' conceditur. Dutum ex Nostro Conventu 
S. Antonii Patavini Neo-Eboraci die 5 Martii, 1S95. 

FR. ANACLETUS, O. S. F., 

Custos Gnbernii. 



Imprimatur. 

* JOANNES JOSEPHUS, 

Archiepiscopus, 

Bostoniensis. 
die 7 Martii, 1895. 



Very Rev. FATHER ANACLETUS De ANGELIS 



THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS 



DEDICATED 



AS A TOKEN OF ESTEEM AND RESPECT 



BY THE AUTHOK. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Birth of St. Anthony — His Education — Purity of 
His Life — His Tender Devotion to the Blessed 
Virgin Mary — Resolves to Abandon the World. 
Enters the Congregation of the Regular Canons 
of St. Augustine — His Novitiate and Persever- 
ance — His Exemplary Conduct and Diligence 
in the Duties of a Novice — His Profession 
in the Monastery of St. Vincent— Passes to 
Another Monasterv ...... 



1 3- i 7 



CHAPTER II. 

He Applies Himself to the Study of the Holy Scrip- 
tures and the Writings of the Holy Fathers — To 
this He Adds the Practice of Virtue — Sees the 
Soul of a Religious Going to Heaven — Con- 
ceives a Holy Envy of the Manner of Living 
of the Friars Minor — The Martyrdom of Five 
Friars Minor — Their Remains are Transported 
to Coimbra from Morocco — The Saint Resolves 
to Become a Friar Minor — Obtains Permission 
and Receives the Habit ..... 



lS-22 



11 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

CHAPTER III. 

His Progress in Religious Perfection — He Asks and 
Obtains Permission to go to Africa — He Sails 
for Africa, Where He Became 111 — Resolves to 
Return to Portugal — By a Storm the Ship is 
Driven to Sicily — From Thence He Goes to the 
General Chapter at Assisi — Ignored by the 
Fathers of the Chapter, He is Considered Worth- 
less — His Heroic Humilitv on this Occasion. 
The Provincial of Bologna Takes the Saint with 

Him 2 3~ 2 7 

CHAPTER IV. 

Anthony in the Hermitage of Monte Paolo — His v - 
Employment — Humility — Austerity — Mortifi- 
cation — He Goes to Forli — He Preaches — He 
is Appointed Preacher by the Superior . . 28-32 

CHAPTER V. 
The Saint is Sent to Vercelli — Preaches at Milan. 

He is Made Professor of Theology . . . 33~ 37 

CHAPTER VI. 
St. Anthony is Sent to France — He Preaches Against 
Heretics — His Prerogatives in Preaching — Zeal 
in Combating Against Heretics . ... 38-43 

CHAPTER VII. 

St. Anthony Teaches Theology in Montpellier — St. 
Francis Appears in the Chapter of Aries — St. 
Anthony is Seen at the Same Time in Two 
Places — He Teaches Theology in Toulouse . 44-4S 

CHAPTER VIII. 
St. Anthony is Elected Superior of Puv — The Saint 
Foretells the Martyrdom of a Child Unborn. 
Preaching, He' is Heard at a Distance of Two 
Miles — He is Made Custos of the Limousin. 
He Preaches There 49~54 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IX. 



St. Anthony Founds Convents in Limoges, Drives 
and Aquitania — He Restores the Hair of a 
Woman — Jesus Christ Appears to Him . . 55-59 

CHAPTER X. 

From France Anthony Returns to Italy — By a Storm 
He is Driven Once More to Sicily — He Founds 
the Convents of Cefalu, Noto, Leontini and 
Prata — From Sicily He Goes to Rome — An- 
thony Preaches in the Consistory to the Cardi- 
nals 60-64 

CHAPTER XI. 

Anthony Preaches in Rome to People of Different 
Nationalities — All Understand Him in Their 
Own Language — General Chapter — St. Anthony 
is Elected Provincial — The Saint Goes to 
Rimini ......... 65-70 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Heretics are Converted by the Miracles of St. 
Anthony — Anthony Induces a Mare to Adore 
the Blessed Sacrament ...... 71—76 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Anthony Eats Poisoned Food — By the Sign of the 
Cross the Saint Changes a Toad Into a Fowl. 
He Teaches Theology in Rimini .... 77-Si 

CHAPTER XIV. 

St. Anthony Goes to Friuli — He Founds Many Con- 
vents — Raises a Young Man to Life — He Prea- 
ches in Padua — He Reproaches Ezzelino, the 
Tyrant . . ' . 82-S7 



IV CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

CHAPTER XV. 

Ezzelino Promises Amendment — He Does Not Perse- 
vere — Anthony Refuses Presents from Him. 
The Saint Makes a Child a Few Days Old Speak SS-93 

CHAPTER XVI. 
St. Anthony Preaches in Florence — In Preaching, 
He Reveals the Damnation of an Avaricious 
Man — Restores to Health a Woman HL-Treated 
by Her Husband — Preaches in Cremona — Ad- 
mits Seven Young Men Into the Order — Goes to 
Milan - 94-99 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Anthony Goes to the General Chapter — Singular 
Esteem of Gregory IX. Toward the Saint — He 
Goes to Alvernia — His Occupation in Alvernia 100-105 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
He is Miraculously Transferred from Padua to Lisbon. 
Restored from Lisbon to Padua — The Saint 
Defends His Father — In Padua He Preaches the 
Last Lenten Sermons ...... 106-110 

CHAPTER XIX. 

St. Anthony Continues His Lenten Sermons — Won- 
derful Concourse of People to Hear Him. 
Singular Devotion of the People Toward Him. 
With the Sign of the Cross He Cures a Little 
Girl — He Blesses a Child and Restores Him to 
Health — Efficacy of His Sermons . . '. 111-116 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Saint Converts Twelve Assassins — He Foretells 
Great Honors to the City of Padua — Resolves 
to go to St. Pietro — An Angel His Messenger. 
He Goes Again to Verona — Returns to Padua . 1 17-122 



CONTENTS. V 

PAGE 

CHAPTER XXI. 
The Saint is Received by Tisone, Lord of St. Pietro. 
He Retires to a Cell Formed in the Top of a 
Walnut Tree — His Last Illness .... 123-128 

CHAPTER XXII. 
His Glorious Death — His Particular Gifts — His 
Natural Qualities — The Saint Appears to the 
Abbot of St. Andrew of Vercelli and Heals Him. 
His Death is Wonderfully Published by Children 129-134 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
Strife About the Place of Anthony's Burial — The 
Bishop Decides that the Sacred Remains Should 
be Buried in the Church of the Friars Minor. 
Obstinacy of the Citizens of Capo di Ponte. 
The Body is Enclosed in a Coffin — The Body of 
the Saint is Transferred to Padua . . . 135-140 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Honors Paid to the Saint — The Clergy and the Padu- 
ans Ask the Pope to Canonize Anthony — The 
Pope Orders the Process for the Canonization of 
Anthony ........ 141-146 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Miracles of Anthony from His Death Until His 

Canonization ....... 147-153 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
Bull of the Pope on the Canonization of the Saint. 
Prodigies in Lisbon on the Day of His Canoniza- 
tion i54- J 59 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

The People of Padua Begin to Enlarge the Temple of 
St. Mary — Causes Which Delayed It — Alexander 



CONTENTS. 



IV. Publishes the Crusade Against Ezzelino, the 
Tyrant — Revelation of the Saint to Two Reli- 
gious — Padua is Freed — The Tyrant Subdued. 
The Temple of St. Anthony .... 160-165 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Translation of the Remains of the Saint — The 
Tongue of the Saint is Found Intact Thirty -Two 
Years After His Death — A Pole Punished by 
God for having Ridiculed the Saint . . . 166-170 

Appendix. — Celebration of the Seventh Centenary 
of St. Anthony of Padua in St. Anthony's 
Church, Sullivan Street, New York, June 10-13, 
i895 • • • • I7I-I74 




PREFACE. 



IX these times, when unbelievers and the enemies of 
the Church are using all their cunning to destroy 
and take away from the heart of man, if possible, the 
religion of Jesus Christ, and under its ruins bury every 
authority, both human and divine, by spreading dan- 
gerous books, newspapers, and pamphlets filled with 
calumnies against the Church, it seemed to me proper 
to bring into prominence a man who during his life- 
time defended the Church of Jesus Christ, which was 
assailed on every side by powerful sectarians. The 
enemies of the Holv Catholic Church of the thirteenth 
century were perhaps as dangerous as those of our days. 
Thev used the same methods to deceive the simple, they 
adopted the same weapons to combat the Church, they 
were eager to obtain riches by despoiling churches, 
convents, monasteries, and charitable institutions; they 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

IV. Publishes the Crusade Against Ezzelino, the 
Tyrant — Revelation of the Saint to Two Reli- 
gious — Padua is Freed — The Tyrant Subdued. 
The Temple of St. Anthony .... 160-165 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Translation of the Remains of the Saint — The 
Tongue of the Saint is Found Intact Thirty -Two 
Years After His Death — A Pole Punished by 
God for having Ridiculed the Saint . . . 166-170 

Appendix. — Celebration of the Seventh Centenary 
of St. Anthony of Padua in St. Anthony's 
Church, Sullivan Street, New York, June 10-13, 
1895 i7i- x 74 




PREFACE. 



IX these times, when unbelievers and the enemies of 
the Church are using all their cunning to destroy 
and take away from the heart of man, if possible, the 
religion of Jesus Christ, and under its ruins bury every 
authority, both human and divine, by spreading dan- 
gerous books, newspapers, and pamphlets filled with 
calumnies against the Church, it seemed to me proper 
to bring into prominence a man who during his life- 
time defended the Church of Jesus Christ, which was 
assailed on every side by powerful sectarians. The 
enemies of the Holv Catholic Church of the thirteenth 
century were perhaps as dangerous as those of our days. 
Thev used the same methods to deceive the simple, they 
adopted the same weapons to combat the Church, they 
were eager to obtain riches by despoiling churches, 
convents, monasteries, and charitable institutions; they 



PREFACE. 



recognized no authority, either temporal or spiritual, 
especially the Albigenses, who made terrible havoc of 
whatever was good and holy. It is true that at that 
time, although the authority of the Church was disre- 
garded and the dogmas of our holy faith denied, still 
materialism did not take entire possession of the hearts 
of the majority, but faith was lively among them. 

This man is St. Anthony of Padua, whose centennial 
is being celebrated this year. This privileged soul 
renounced everything for love of God, and dedicated his 
whole life to the service of God. In this saint shone all 
the divine virtues in the most eminent degree, united 
with a true apostolic zeal. In him we see a model of 
purity, profound humility, prompt obedience, heroic 
patience, fervent charity, an ardent zeal for the honor of 
God and the salvation of souls, with all the other vir- 
tues, which rendered him worthy of admiration before 
God and man. 

This saint confirmed several dogmas of the Catholic 
Faith by the force of wonderful miracles, — the real 
presence of Jesus Christ in the most Holy Eucharist, 
the forgiveness of sins in the sacrament of Penance, the 
sufferings of hell, the glories of the blessed in heaven, 
the Divine Providence in our spiritual as well as temporal 
necessities, and the intercession of the saints. By this 
is seen the divine mercy in the amendment of sinners, 
the justice of God in punishing the wicked, and the 



PREFACE. IX 

wonderful effects of the omnipotent wisdom and good- 
ness of God toward sinners. 

Indeed, these were all powerful means to soften the 
hearts of the most obdurate sinners, inflame them with 
most holy affections, make them hate vice and love 
virtue, inspire them with a holy fear of the divine 
justice and so induce them to despise the vanities of this 
world and infuse a profound respect for holy things, 
and kindle in the hearts of the faithful the fire of 
charity toward God and their neighbor, so that, purified 
from whatever is worldly, they might wish only to please 
God, and in this way attend to their own sanctification. 

In the course of this biography I have related many 
miracles wrought by God through St. Anthony. Un- 
believers and rationalists will undoubtedly deny them, 
and others, perhaps, will doubt them. To the former 
we may say with the royal prophet: "Dixit insipiens 
in corde suo, non est Deus" (the fool hath said in his 
heart there is no God). If they deny the very existence 
of God it is not to be wondered that they do not 
admit the existence of miracles. To the latter we refer 
them to the Old and New Testaments, where they can 
read many miracles which, although they seem extrava- 
gant, yet they cannot be doubted bv any one. We read 
Hiat the serpent spoke to the woman (Genesis 3) ; that 
Jhe wife of Lot was suddenly changed into a statue of 
3alt (Genesis 19:26) ; the ass spoke to Balaam (Num- 



PREFACE. 



bers zzizS); the water that issued from the j:iw-bone 
of an ass to quench the thir t oi: Samson (Judges 
15 :io,) ; the money which St. Peter found in the mouth 
of a fish, and many other miracles. Moreover, we 
should reflect on the promise which our Holy Redeemer 
mad 5 to His faithful followers, saying: "Amen,, 
amei, I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works 
that I do, he shall do also, and greater, than these shall 
he do." In ecclesiastical history are also related many 
miracles wrought by God through His faithful servants. 

No one, therefore, can with reason doubt the truth of 
the miracles that are recorded in the biographies of the 
saint. They are the work of God, who, from time to 
time, through the intercession of His faithful servants, 
operates according to the place, time, and person that 
He wishes to glorify, in order to manifest the glory of • 
His ineffable attributes, to show the excellence of virtue, 
to confound unbelievers, convert sinners, and confirm 
them in the Catholic Faith, Christian piety, and to 
fortify their hopes in eternal salvation. 

The biographers of St. Anthony have been many. 
The first was John Pecham, an Englishman, who 
flourished in the thirteenth century, and was a disciple 
of St. Bonaventure ; he was afterward doctor in the 
University of Oxford, England, and finally Archbishop 
of Canterbury. Father John, Father Matthew, and 
Raimond, O. S. F., also wrote the life of the saint. 



PREFACE. XI 

Father Bartholomew, of Pisa, a celebrated theologian 
and preacher of the Friars Minor, in the fifteenth cen- 
tury ; Father Secco Polentoni, Father Eppolitusda Ponte- 
Paduano, O. S. F. ; Lawrence Snrius, a Carthusian ; 
Father Luke Wadding, of Wexford County, Ireland, a 
celebrated writer of the seventeenth century, author of 
" The Annals of the Friars Minor"; the Bollandists, 
who registered in their celebrated work the memorials 
which several writers of St. Anthony left to posterity ; 
in the last century Father Michael Pacheco and Father 
Damien Cornejo, and many others wrote the life of the 
saint. Father Lewis da Minaglia wrote the life of St. 
Anthony with great accuracy and erudition. 

On the occasion of the centenary of the glorious apostle 
and thaumaturgus, which is being celebrated this year 
(1895), seeing that the devotion toward St. Anthony is 
spreading wonderfully throughout the United States, I 
have thought it proper to make known to the Catholics 
of this glorious republic the virtues and privileges of 
this thaumaturgus. I am sure that this humble work 
will be well received by the Catholics at large. 

I protest that I do not intend to attribute in this little 
work the title of blessed or saint to those whom the 
Church does not recognize as such, but as far as the 
writers recognize them as such. 




LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA. 



CHAPTER I. 

BIRTH OF ST. ANTHONY — HIS EDUCATION — PURITY OF HIS 

LIFE HIS TENDER DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN 

MARY RESOLVES TO ABANDON THE WORLD ENTERS THE 

CONGREGATION OF THE REGULAR CANONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE. 
HIS NOVITIATE AND PERSEVERANCE — HIS EXEMPLARY CON- 
DUCT AND DILIGENCE IN THE DUTIES OF A NOVICE HIS 

PROFESSION IN THE MONASTERY OF ST. VINCENT PASSES 

TO ANOTHER MONASTERY. 

THE most merciful God, according to the order of 
His Divine Providence, sends, from time to time, 
extraordinary men, adorned with sublime sanctity, to 
revive virtue in the hearts of men, to induce sincere pen- 
ance, to show the way of perfection to the just, and to 
render in this manner His Church more glorious. P'or 



14 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

this purpose He raised an extraordinary man in the thir- 
teenth century. This privileged soul was St. Anthony, 
called the Thaumaturgus of Padua. 

In the year 1195, under the pontificate of Celestine 
III., was born Anthony, in Lisbon, the capital of Por- 
tugal. Eight days after his birth he was baptized in 
the Cathedral Church, called- St. Mary, and received the 
name of Ferdinand. 

His parents were Martin de Bouillon and Theresa, or, 
as some authors called her, Mary de Tavera. Both of 
them descended from noble families, but they became 
more illustrious on account of their virtues and Chris- 
tian piety, which they valued more than their nobility. 
They inspired in their child the fear of God, giving him 
a suitable training, and by their words and example 
making him a sincere Christian. 

Arrived at the proper age, he was sent to school, there 
to be educated by a priest of the Church of St. Mary, a 
learned and holy man, in order that under the discipline 
of this priest he might acquire a knowledge of books 
and the science of the saints, in both of which he easily 
succeeded. 

In his youth he gave signs of that sublime sanctity 
to which God was disposing him, for he frequented the 
churches and religious houses, heard with great delight 
and attention, the Word of God, and every day assisted 
devoutly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Full of 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 5 

compassion and charity toward the poor, he stretched 
out his hands to help them in their miseries. He was 
so sincere in his words that he never uttered the least 
falsehood. The enemy of idleness, he not only applied 
himself to study, but also to the exercise of piety. He 
avoided the vain amusements and enticing pleasures 
upon which his companions were so eagerly bent. Such 
was the wisdom, the gravity, the modesty of Ferdinand, 
who, though so young, already possessed the maturity of 
a much older and sensible man. 

He chose as his particular patroness the Blessed Vir- 
gin Mary, beloved by him with tender affection, dedi- 
cating his studies and everything else to her, in order 
that he might avoid the dangers that beset the path of 
youth ; hence we have a strong motive to believe that 
for this special devotion of his to the Mother of God he 
merited the gift of original purity, whose lily he knew 
how to guard with jealousy till death. 

Having reached the age of fifteen, and being well in- 
structed in worldly knowledge, Ferdinand determined 
to abandon the paternal house, the world, which, from 
day to day became distasteful to him, and enter a clois- 
ter, where he could enjoy true peace of heart and avoid 
the dangers by which he was surrounded. He mani- 
fested to his parents this noble resolution, and obtained 
their approval, although it caused them much grief to 
give to religion a son so amiable. 



ID LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

Outside the walls of Lisbon there was a monastery of 
the regular canons of St. Augustine, called St. Vincent, 
where discipline and observance nourished among the 
religious. It was that which induced Ferdinand to 
abandon the world. There the youth lied, and pre- 
sented himself to the superior, who, seeing in him the 
signs of a true vocation, with the consent of the com- 
munity received him. This was in the year 1210, about 
the end of January. 

After Ferdinand received the habit of the regular 
canons of St. Augustine he became an object of contra- 
diction and persecution. His friends and relatives could 
not bear to see him clothed with the religious habit; 
hence they did all they could to induce him to return to 
the world ; but the youth, faithful to God, and constant 
in his vocation, did not allow himself to be led by their 
worldly advice, preferring the eternal salvation of his 
immortal soul and the love of God to the honors and 
riches of this world. 

Furnished with these salutary maxims, the novice, 
helped by the grace of God, soon became the model of 
the most observant of that community. In him shone 
a ereat modesty in his deportment, a maturity in his dis- 
courses, and a certain angelic air in his aspect, which 
attracted the hearts of all. He executed with diligence 
the obligations which the religious state imposes. Know- 
ing how necessary obedience is, he abandoned himself 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1^ 

to it, doing the will of his superiors. In the execution 
of menial offices he placed his greatest delight, because 
he was so penetrated with humility and obedience — those 
virtues which Jesus Christ practised himself and pro- 
posed as an examiDle to His faithful followers. 

Having finished the year of his novitiate, he made his 
profession with great joy. He passed two years in that 
monastery in tranquillity and peace ; but his friends and 
relatives, on account of the affection they had for him, 
began to visit him. For this reason the young religious, 
fearing that he would lose the religious spirit and fervor, 
humbly asked his superiors to remove him to some other 
place, wishing to have more liberty to serve God. Hav- 
ing obtained permission he passed from .the Monastery 
of St. Vincent to that of the Holy Cross at Coimbra, a 
citv of Portugal, ninety-six miles from Lisbon. 



CHAPTER II. 



HE APPLIES HIMSELF TO THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIP- 
TURES AND THE WRITINGS OF THE HOLY FATHERS TO 

THIS HE ADDS THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE SEES THE SOUL 

OF A RELIGIOUS GOING TO HEAVEN CONCEIVES A HOLY 

ENVY OF THE MANNER OF LIVING OF THE FRIARS MINOR. 

THE MARTYRDOM OF FIVE FRIARS MINOR THEIR REMAINS 

ARE TRANSPORTED TO COIMBRA FROM MOROCCO THE 

SAINT RESOLVES TO BECOME A FRIAR MINOR OBTAINS PER- 
MISSION AND RECEIVES THE HABIT. 

THE saint, having arrived at Coimbra, at once began 
to give himself up to the study of the Holy Scrip- 
tures and the writings of the fathers of the Church, re- 
flecting that a true servant of God is obliged not only to 
sanctify himself, but also to render himself useful to 
others ; and knowing that the source of true science is 
the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the holy fathers, 
he determined to cultivate his mind, and also to extirpate 
vice and foster virtue in its stead. He almost foresaw 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 9 

what was going to happen ; for this reason he searched 
into the true sense of the Sacred Scriptures, and had re- 
course to the writings of the holy fathers to interpret 
the most obscure passages, and in a short time, being 
young and endowed with much talent and a wonderful 
memory, he became a great theologian. 

The saint, trained in the school of Jesus Christ by 
means of meditation, strove to put into practice the 
sacred text and conform his life to the teachings of the 
Divine Master by continual watching, mortification and 
abstinence. He was very meek in heart; in that monas- 
tery no religious was happier than he, more obedient, 
more ready for the divine office or any duty that was 
imposed on him. In his conversation there could be 
discovered neither vanity nor ostentation, but a singular 
modesty. He employed the time in such a manner that 
he was not idle for a single moment. He allowed to 
his body only what was purely and simply necessarv, 
occupying the remainder of his time in the divine 
service, in obeying the orders of his superiors, in spirit- 
ual exercises, and in the study of the Holy Scriptures. 

To this kind of life the servant of God was faithful 
while he lived with the regular canons of the Holy Cross 
of Coimbra, who never ceased to admire his wisdom and 
holiness. 

God, on account of the fidelity of His servant, granted 
him extraordinary favors and the power of working 



20 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

miracles. While Ferdinand dwelt in the monastery a 
Friar Minor of great sanctity died in the Convent of St. 
Anthony the Abbot, near Coimbra. God, wishing to 
manifest his singular merits, showed, in a vision to 
Ferdinand during the Sacrifice of the Mass, that blessed 
soul passing through purgatory and gloriously entering 
into heaven. 

Oh, how wonderful are the ways of the Lord ! When 
He destines some one for His special purposes He gives 
all the means necessary to render him worthy of His 
favors. Ferdinand, while sojourning in the above mon- 
astery, became acquainted with the Friars Minor, who 
had a small convent near Coimbra. The regularity of 
their lives, the penances and mortifications they prac- 
tised, made them very pleasing to this great servant of 
God. 

About this time St. Francis sent many of his children 
all through the world to evangelize and convert sinners 
and unbelievers to the true faith. Five of them went to 
Morocco to preach the gospel in order to convert the 
followers of Mohammed. They were Berard dor Carbio, 
Peter and Otho, priests ; Ajustus and Accursius, lay 
brothers. Arrived at Morocco, they began to preach 
the true faith, and confirmed their preachings by many 
miracles. For this they suffered imprisonment, scourg- 
ing and many other indignities, which they sustained 
with fortitude for love of Jesus and the welfare of their 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 21 

holy religion. Miramolinus, the king, endeavored to 
seduce them with promises of pleasures, honors, and 
riches, and, failing to conquer them, drew his sword 
and cut off their heads. This took place on the 16th of 
January, 1220. With reverence the Christians who 
were there gathered the remains of these heroes of the 
faith and gave them to Don Pedro, brother of Alphonsus, 
king of Portugal, who placed them in two silver caskets 
and brought them to Coimbra. 

Ferdinand, when he beheld the solemn funeral of 
these five martyrs, and the prodigies which God per- 
formed through their intercession, became inflamed with 
ardent zeal to fight for the faith of Christ and shed his 
blood if need be. Though he was willing to put into 
execution his project, still he thought it best to obtain 
his superior's permission. The zealous religious suppli- 
cated God with fervor day and night to illumine him and 
show him the way to carry out his design. Almighty 
God heard his petition by inspiring him to embrace the 
Order of the Friars Minor. The saint responded to the 
call of God in the following manner : — 

Two religious of the Convent of St. Anthony the 
Abbot went as usual to the Monastery of the Holy Cross 
to ask alms for the maintenance of their community. 
One day Ferdinand approached them secretly, and, 
among other things, said to them: "I ardently desire 
to become a member of your order, provided you will 



22 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

allow me to go among the Saracens, and thereby have 
an opportunity to shed my blood for the faith of Christ." 
The joy that the two religious felt on hearing this can- 
not be expressed ; for they perceived that one who was 
so virtuous and learned would honor their order, and the 
next day was fixed for the execution of the project. 

Meanwhile Ferdinand went to his superior and asked 
his permission to join the Order of St. Francis, but met 
with many objections from him and the other regular 
canons, who did all they could to keep him. Never- 
theless, the superior gave his consent, knowing that such 
was the will of God. The next day Ferdinand received 
the habit of St. Francis from the superior of the Fran- 
ciscans, in the Monastery of the Holy Cross. One of 
the canons, who felt the loss of his confrere, said to 
him: "Go, go! Perhaps you will become a saint." 
Ferdinand modestly answered : "When you know that 
I am a saint you will praise God for it." Then he was 
taken by the Friars Minor to their Convent of St. 
Anthony the Abbot. He was not satisfied in having 
only changed the habit of St. Augustine to that of St. 
Francis, but wished to change his name also, and make 
himself unknown to his friends and relatives, in order 
that he might lead a hidden life in Jesus Christ; and he 
was no longer called Ferdinand, but Anthony. 



CHAPTER III. 

HIS PROGRESS IN RELIGIOUS PERFECTION" HE ASKS AND OB- 
TAINS PERMISSION TO GO TO AFRICA — HE SAILS FOR AFRICA. 
WHERE HE BECAME ILL RESOLVES TO RETURN TO PORTU- 
GAL—BY A STORM THE SHIP IS DRIVEN TO SICILY FROM 

THENCE HE GOES TO THE GENERAL CHAPTER AT ASSISE 
IGNORED BY THE FATHERS OF THE CHAPTER HE IS CONSID- 
ERED WORTHLESS HIS HEROIC HUMILITY ON THIS OCCA- 
SION — THE PROVINCIAL OF BOLOGNA TAKES THE SAINT 
WITH HIM. 

GOD so disposed, for the greater glory of His 
Church and the profit of many souls redeemed by 
Him, that the passing of Anthony from the Order of 
St. Augustine to that of St. Francis should be effected 
by a special vocation from heaven. Anthony, when he 
found himself enrolled among the children of the 
Seraphic Father, became more desirous of attaining 
greater perfection, since it is the maxim of heroic virtue 
to aspire more and more to the service of God. In this 
convent he practised humility and all the other virtues 
proper to a perfect religious, in which he was encour 



24 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

aged by the example of those first followers of St. 
Francis living there, who, though few in number; were 
held in great veneration by the people for their good 
conduct and for the practice of mortification, by which 
they showed to men the true way to eternal salvation. 
Meanwhile the thirst of martyrdom was increasing in 
Anthony, and he was so animated by the desire to 
bring the true faith to unbelievers that he found no rest. 
Since the principal object which induced him to em- 
brace the Order of St. Francis was to have an oppor- 
tunity to give his life for love of Jesus, he made no 
delay in asking permission from the superior of the 
convent to go among the Saracens, according to the 
promise made to him on entering the order. The 
prelate, on account of the experience he had of the fer- 
vent religious, and knowing his true vocation for an un- 
dertaking so arduous, granted him permission to go, 
hoping one day to hear the glorious news of the valor 
of this soldier of Jesus in fighting error and infidelity. 

Full of the love of God, and already a martyr of de- 
sire, Anthony bade his brothers farewell, and sailed for 
Africa. But God, who had already destined him for 
the apostolic life, wished to make him an instrument for 
the conversion of many in France and Italy, and so did 
not permit Anthony to spend his life in Africa ; for as 
soon as he arrived there he was overtaken by an illness 
which afflicted him all through the winter. Early in 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 25 

the spring, feeling somewhat better, he determined to 
return to his native land to recover his health ; but God 
decreed otherwise, for a violent storm drove the vessel 
as far as the coast of Sicily. The saint was most char- 
itably received by the Friars Minor of that island, and 
being greatly fatigued by the long and dangerous voy- 
age, and still weak from his illness, he remained there 
until he became stronger. 

He heard that in that year (1221) a General Chapter 
was going to take place at Assisi, on the Feast of 
Pentecost, May 30, and, though still feeble, he sailed 
from Messina with Brother Castigliano, a young lay 
brother, and other Sicilian friars, and went to Assisi, 
where he met the Patriarch Francis, whom he had 
the happiness of embracing, and assisted at the 
General Chapter, at which Brother Elias was elected 
vicar-general of the order. 

The provincials and custos, according to custom, 
chose for their provinces those friars who were known 
and acceptable to them. Among the religious there was 
no one who had not a convent to go to, and all left 
Assisi for their destination. Anthony alone remained, 
and he knew not what to do ; being unknown, no one 
chose him. Though so well versed in the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and fitted for the apostolic ministry, on account of 
his prudence, talents and learning, yet, so great was his 
humility, he kept carefully concealed these noble pre- 



26 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

rogatives. Hence, none of the provincials wanted him-, 
in fact, seeing him so weak and delicate, they consid- 
ered him unfit for religious duties. However, this did 
not trouble Anthony, who put his trust in God, the only 
object of his contemplations, waiting to go whither 
duty called him. 

Some may think it strange that St. Francis, who was 
present at this General Chapter, did not foresee the 
holiness and wisdom of Anthony, since the Seraphic 
Doctor, St. Bonaventure, plainly says in his "Life of 
St. Francis " that he had the gift of prophecy and of 
penetrating the secrets of the consciences of his chil- 
dren, and manifested many things to them ; hence his 
friars knew that he was animated by the spirit of the 
Lord, and they followed in his footsteps. Here we 
must remark that God did not manifest all to him, since 
He did not reveal everything to the prophets of old, as 
St. Jerome says. In fact, He did not reveal to Eliseus 
the death of the son of the Sunamitess. Even if God 
had revealed to Francis the greatness of that j>rivileged 
soul, we must not wonder that the Seraphic Father, 
who practised the most profound humility, and taught 
it to his children in word and deed, with wise discrim- 
ination left everything in the hands of God. 

Anthony, forsaken as he was, did not lose courage, 
but trusted in God, and prayed fervently ; his prayer 
was answered bv the Lord in the following manner: — > 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 2>] 

The provincial of Emilia, Father Graziano, had not 
left the Convent of Assisi, and he was requested by 
Anthony to accept him for his province, with the per- 
mission of the vicar-general, without mentioning his 
studies or his talents, saying that he wished only the love 
of Jesus crucified. Pleased with such sentiments, 
Father Graziano spoke to the vicar-general about him, 
and received the desired permission, 

A learned historian of the Order of St. Francis re- 
lates that the provincial of Emilia was anxious to find 
a priest to celebrate Mass every day for the community 
of the hermitage of Monte Paolo, because at that time 
there were few priests of the order, for, in the begin- 
ning, those who became friars wished to imitate their 
holy founder and follow Jesus crucified more with 
prayer and meekness of heart than by a knowledge of 
books and the dignity of the holy priesthood. 





CHAPTER IV. 

ANTHONY IN THE HERMITAGE OF MONTE PAOLO—HIS EM- 
PLOYMENT HUMILITY AUSTERITY — MORTIFICATION HE 

GOES TO FORLI HE PREACHES HE IS APPOINTED PREACHER 

BY THE SUPERIOR. 

AS soon as he reached Emilia Anthony retired im- 
mediately to the hermitage of Monte Paolo, there 
to enjoy quietness of spirit and contemplation. He 
celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day for 
the religious who lived there, as the provincial desired 
him to do so ; but when he considered their manner of 
living he felt as if he led an idle life, as it seemed to him 
that among those servants of God he was the only one 
who, aside from celebrating the Mass, contributed 
nothing for the welfare of that religious community. 
He asked to be allowed to perform the most menial 
offices, as, for instance, to wash dishes and sweep the 
house. We must admire the great humility of the saint, 
since he was of noble birth, the son of a rich father, and 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 2Q 

esteemed very highly by the royal court of Portugal. 
He willingly gave up all to embrace a life of holy 
poverty. 

From this we can plainly see that Anthony did not 
value the honors and riches of this world, which are 
eagerly sought after by so many, who, when they rind 
themselves raised to some dignity, seem to forget their 
humble origin, while they disdain to perform duties 
which, the more mean and despicable they appear in 
the eyes of men, are so much the more meritorious be- 
fore God. 

In the hermitage of Monte Paolo there lived a fervent 
religious who had constructed a little cell inside of a 
cave. Anthony, the moment he saw it, humbly asked 
that it be given to him, and his request was willingly 
granted. Here, as far as obedience permitted, he lived 
alone, and with continual prayer and contemplation, 
fortified his spirit against temptation and enkindled in 
his heart more and more the fire of divine love. He 
punished his body in order to render it subject to the 
spirit, taking for his food only a little bread and water ; 
he mortified himself by fasting, discipline and other 
austerities, and became so weak that sometimes he could 
scarcely stand, as the religious who lived with him testi- 
fied. His bed was of straw, his pillow a stone, and he 
went to rest only after prolonged vigils. Although he 
did not remain in the hermitage of Monte Paolo very 



30 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

long, he still retained the same manner of living till his 
death. 

The evil one, jealous of the progress of Anthony in 
virtue, did not fail to assail him frequently, in order that 
he might dissuade him from his spiritual exercises, 
doing his utmost to deprive him of those extraordinary 
gifts which are received from God by prayer, and which 
would one day help the holy young man in making 
known to sinners the manner in which they are deceived 
by Satan ; but the attacks were in vain, for Anthony, 
strengthened by the power of divine grace, always came 
off victorious. 

Throughout all the time he stayed in Monte Paolo he 
kept concealed his great wisdom, so that his confreres, 
although they esteemed him for his virtues and mortifica- 
tions, believed he was a man without education, fit only 
for the humblest offices of the community, as he himself 
attested. Beautiful and instructive lesson ! which con- 
founds the pride of those who pretend to know every- 
thing, and yet know so little. It was not so with 
Anthony, who preferred to be considered ignorant rather 
than appear as a learned man. This silence rendered 
him worthy to effect the designs of God, who secretly 
was disposing him for the apostolic ministry. 

It happened that some religious of the Friars Minor 
and of the Order of St. Dominic were sent to the bishop 
at Forli to receive holy orders. Anthony was there also 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 3 1 

with the superior of the friars of Monte Paolo. As it 
was the pious custom to address those who were to be 
ordained, in order to excite in them the necessary dispo- 
sitions to receive the sacrament worthily, the superior 
requested the friars of the Order of St. Dominic to per- 
form this duty. They looked at each other, embarrassed 
by such a request, because there was none among them 
who had courage to treat on a subject for which they 
were not prepared, so they all humbly excused them- 
selves. Then the superior, moved as if by a divine im- 
pulse, turned to Anthony and said : " Speak according 
as the spirit of the Lord will inspire you." He did not 
believe that Anthony was well versed in the Holy Scrip- 
tures, yet he hoped he would succeed, because he had 
remarked that on certain occasions, when driven by 
necessity, he had spoken in such a manner as to make 
manifest, against his wishes, some of that wisdom which 
he kept scrupulously hidden. Anthony answered with 
great humility that he was not fit for such a sublime 
office, and that he knew better how to wash dishes than 
to preach ; but this artifice did not avail, and he was 
compelled to obey. He began his address at first very 
simply, but as he went on he appeared as though in- 
spired, and it seemed incredible that he was speaking 
extempore. He was no longer the one who swept the 
cells of the friars, and who had been considered igno- 
rant by all, but appeared the learned man that he was, — r 



32 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

a man in whom the spirit of the Lord spoke. His 
hearers were filled with wonder at his eloquence, his 
reasoning, his familiarity with the writings of the holy 
fathers and the examples produced by him to corrobo- 
rate what he was saying. Their wonder grew still more, 
because they felt their hearts wonderfully enkindled by 
the fire of God from the force and efficacy of his words, 
and they candidly confessed that they had never heard 
the like before ; neither could they decide which was the 
most to be admired — his great wisdom or the mumble 
silence with which up to that time he had kept it con- 
cealed. 

The superior of the province, after the happy discov- 
ery of the wonderful ability and learning of Anthony, 
began to have a better opinion of one whom, till now, 
he had considered simple and unlearned ; he ordered that 
he should no longer serve in the kitchen, and he esteemed 
him for the future as a man of letters, well deserving in 
the order, worthy of honor and respect. He appointed 
him preacher, in order that he might announce the 
divine Word to the people within the limits of the 
province of Emilia. The news of this extraordinary 
event reached St. Francis, who, full of joy, gave 
Anthony permission to preach everywhere. 



CHAPTER V. 



THE SAINT IS SENT TO VERCELLI rREACHES AT MILAN HE 

IS MADE PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY. 

ST. FRANCIS thought it proper, for the spiritual 
good of souls, to appoint Anthony to the apostolic 
ministry, yet he considered it prudent that the new 
preacher should apply himself to the study of theology, 
in order that he might exercise his office with more solid 
learning; therefore he sent him to Vercelli to study the- 
ology in the Monastery of St. Andrew of the Regular 
Canons, under the discipline of the Abbot Thomas, the 
greatest doctor Italy had at that time. Thomas was one 
of the regular canons whom Ugo Sessa, Bishop of 
Vercelli, had called from the Monastery of St. Vincent 
of Paris to that of St. Andrew of Vercelli, on account 
of their exemplary lives and regular observance. 

Anthony had for his companion of studies Adam de 
Marisco, from Somerset, diocese of Bath, England, who 
afterward became doctor of the famous University of 
Oxford, and finally bishop of Ely, where he became 



34 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

famous for the holiness of his life, the soundness of his 
doctrine, and for the works which he published. They 
were both received by Thomas with singular tenderness 
of love, and they obtained from him those sublime les- 
sons which were necessary for their advancement in the- 
ology. 

Here we must remark that during the time Anthony 
and his confrere studied in Vercelli he did not live out- 
side of the Monastery of the Friars Minor ; for St. 
Francis had obtained, in the year 1214, a convent from 
Ugo Sessa, bishop of the place ; it was situated near an 
ancient church, called St. Matthew. Here Anthony 
dwelt, and at the appointed hours he went to the Monas- 
tery of St. Andrew for his lessons. 

The historians of the Order of St. Francis say that 
St. Anthony, though he applied himself to the study of 
theology, did not omit to preach the Lenten sermons at 
Milan and other places near by, and the lights he already 
possessed and those he received from above afforded him 
an understanding of the most sublime truths. His 
progress was so great and rapid that his teacher often 
affirmed that he learned many things from him. Speak- 
ing of the book of the " Celestial Hierarchy," which he 
was explaining, he said that "this disciple of his spoke 
concerning the different orders of celestial spirits with 
great preciseness and wonderful intelligence, and it 
seemed to all as if he had them present." 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 35 

This is what the same teacher confirmed by these 
words: "We read that some holy bishops, not very 
expert in physical doctrines, penetrated so deeply into 
the theological mysteries that they spoke with admirable 
snbtilty of the mystery of the most Holy Trinity; and I 
have experienced this in the person of St. Anthony of 
the Order of Friars Minor, for although he was not so 
well instructed in worldly knowledge, nevertheless, from 
the purity of his soul and the ardor of his charity, he 
acquired, as he fervently desired, the highest knowledge 
in the mystical theology, so that I can say of him what 
was written concerning St. John the Baptist : ' He was 
a burning lamp, and shining ; for interiorly he was burn- 
ing with love and exteriorly he was resplendent by his 
example.' " 

In view of the wonderful progress of Anthony in the 
study of theology, his confreres desired that he would 
communicate to them that science of which he had so 
great a knowledge. The Order of the Friars Minor be- 
ing founded on humility and the despising of worldly 
things, the holy founder wished that his followers should 
not care for literature, but attend to that which they 
ought to desire above all things; namely, to acquire 
the spirit of the Lord and to work in conformity with 
the dictates of the same ; hence he could not tolerate the 
vanity of those who preferred the study of the sciences 
to true piety. But since the holy patriarch knew w T ell 



36 I>IFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

how necessary theology is to fulfil properly the office of 
preaching, to which his children were called by. God, 
and to combat against the heresies that were spreading 
all through Europe at that time, he never intended to 
banish entirely the sciences from his order, but only that 
which would make his followers vain — that is, the science 
of those who do not care for the glory of God or the sal- 
vation of souls, but have in view their own glory and 
the esteem of this world. He wished his friars to have 
before their eyes only God, and that, meditating seri- 
ously on the sublime dignity of the apostolic ministry, 
prepare for it by means of prayer, by the knowledge of 
their nothingness, and with confidence in the divine aid ; 
for this reason, as we shall soon see, he desired them to 
apply themselves to the study of sacred theology, to 
learn those things of which they were in need, and for 
the want of which they were considered incapable of 
working for the spiritual welfare of their neighbor. 

Being convinped, therefore, of the intention of their 
holy founder, the friars requested Anthony to instruct 
them in theology; but he, although moved by the zeal 
of God to second their desires, did not wish to assume 
this duty till he had the approbation of the Seraphic 
Father, who, well informed of the great ability of 
Anthony, not only as a preacher, but also as a professor 
of theology, thus wrote to him : — 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 37 

To My Dearest Brother Anthony. Health in Jesus 
Christ : 
It pleases me that you should teach sacred theology to rny 
friars, as I greatly desire that the spirit of holy prayer should 
not he extinguished in you or in the other friars, according to 
the rule which we profess. Good-bye. Brother Francis. 

Having obtained permission from. St. Francis to read 
theology to his confreres, Anthony began to exercise 
this office, which was discharged by him in several 
places with so much success that there was nothing to 
be desired ; he not only knew how to instruct his dis- 
ciples, but also took great pains to instill in them the 
holy fear of the Lord, having always before his eves 
that which the holy founder had enjoined on him when 
he was appointed professor. 

Wadding writes that St. Anthony read theologv for 
the first time in Montpcllier, a city of France ; the sec- 
ond time in Bologna, the third time in Padua, and in 
Toulouse and other places. 




CHAPTER VI. 



ST. ANTHONY IS SENT TO FRANCE HE PREACHES AGAINST 

HERETICS HIS PREROGATIVES IN PREACHING ZEAL IN COM- 
BATING AGAINST HERETICS. 

AFTER the saint had read theology for some 
time in Bologna, the superior determined to send 
him to preach in France, where the Church had ex- 
treme need of learned theologians and zealous preachers 
to reform the depraved customs and oppose the heresy 
of the Albigenses. 

These heretics were called Albigenses in the Council 
of Lombardy, a city of Guienne, in France, held in the 
year 1176, because it was principally the province of 
Albi, a city of Languedoc, that they infested with their 
errors. The sect they professed was Manicheism, a 
heresy which had its origin from Mani, a Persian, in 
the third century, and which was spreading through 
France, Flanders, Germany, and various other parts of 
Europe ; it lasted many centuries. 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 39 

It is probable that the sect of the new Manicheans 
was propagated by a continuous succession from the 
ancient Manicheans, although by the vigilance of Cath- 
olic rulers and prelates of the Church, the ancient sect 
had been dispersed in such a way that it seemed alto- 
gether extinct ; yet it was like a spark of fire under the 
ashes, ready to be again enkindled, which did happen, to 
the great detriment of the Catholic religion and society. 
For this reason we can assert that it always existed, and 
either openly or secretly had its partisans. 

St. Leo the Great, speaking of the ancient Mani- 
cheans, says that their sect was a mixture of all errors, 
and whatever was sacrilegious and execrable in the 
other heresies was gathered into it. It is incredible the 
errors which they proclaimed against the mystery of the 
most Holy Trinity, the humanity, life and mysteries of 
Jesus Christ, the saints of the Old Testament, the cre- 
ation of the world, the resurrection of the body, the 
general judgment, the sacraments of the Church, the 
Sacred Scriptures, tradition, the councils, the authority 
of the fathers and the Church, and other articles of 
faith. 

They were so depraved that they laid aside every 
natural decency, not even respecting the closest ties of 
relationship. To this they added frauds, usuries, rob- 
beries and rapines, and in their cruelty they became as 
wild beasts. It is well known from history that in the 



40 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

thirteenth century the Albigenses, protected by Ray- 
mond, Count of Toulouse, did everything they could 
against Catholics and sacred things. They respected 
neither sex nor age, nor the quality or condition of per- 
sons and places. They plundered and defaced churches, 
insulted holy women, condemned priests to most atro- 
cious torments, and set on fire the houses of the Cath- 
olics. 

This heresy was spreading everywhere, to the great 
detriment of the Catholic religion, and the Roman pon- 
tiffs, Innocent III. and Honorius III., moved by their 
zeal, used every possible means to extirpate it. To 
effect this many councils were held, rigorous decrees 
were published against it, the arms of Catholic princes 
were called in to aid in its overthrow, and bishops, theo- 
logians and zealous preachers were sent to enlighten the 
heretics by their writings and sermons. Among these 
St. Anthony distinguished himself. 

St. Francis, full of zeal for the propagation of the 
faith and the salvation of souls, seeing his beloved 
country (France) was infested by the Albigenses, sent 
there one of his holiest and most learned disciples, — St. 
Anthony, — who, the moment he received the order to go 
to France, started immediately, passing through Ver- 
celli, where he visited the Abbot Thomas and Sessa, 
bishop of the city. Being requested by them and the 
principal people of Vercelli, who greatly desired to 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 41 

hear him, he preached in the Cathedral of St. Eusebius, 
where it pleased the Lord to distinguish him by the 
following miracle : — 

While the holy man was announcing from the pulpit 
the divine Word he saw that the body of a young man 
was being brought to the church before burial. Moved 
by compassion for those who, with tears, accompanied 
the dead, he cried out, commanding the young man to 
return to life, and he arose immediately, in the presence 
of all. For this miracle Anthony was considered by the 
people as a man sent by God for their spiritual and tem- 
poral welfare. 

The saint continued his journey to France, where he 
began his holy apostolic ministry, which was to combat 
the errors of the heretical Albigenses, and bring back 
sinners to the true way of eternal salvation. 

An illustrious writer of the fifteenth century thus ex- 
presses the prerogatives of Anthony in the apostolic 
ministry : " Anthony was very forcible in his preaching, 
and his study, his diligence, his natural gifts", and those 
of grace endowed him with those faculties, without 
which no one can become a successful preacher or an 
excellent teacher of truth." 

He possessed, above all, such a wonderful memory 
that he never forgot anything he had once learned. lie 
preached with such exquisite art that whether he ex- 
horted the people to fast, to give alms, to do penance, 



42 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

to acquire virtues that would enable them to lead good 
lives and attain eternal happiness, or inveighed. against 
pride, avarice, lust and other sins which would lead 
them to eternal perdition, his hearers, learned or un- 
learned, were convinced and persuaded, and great fruits 
were produced. When be spoke concerning the power 
and mercy of God, of piety, meekness, charity (which 
ought to be practised among men) , or the other virtues 
and vices, he did it with such skill that whatever he 
said seemed to come from divine wisdom. 

The saint, possessed of these admirable gifts, began 
to go about the vast provinces of Aquitania and Nar- 
bonne, preaching there with great fruit for about three 
years. His principal desire was to destroy the impious 
and sacrilegious teachings of the heretical Albigenses, 
who, as cunning foxes, were laying waste the vineyard 
of the Lord. He was so well provided with solid rea- 
soning and ready sentences from the Sacred Scriptures 
that the heretics did not dare to remain in his presence, 
much less to answer him ; hence it was verified in An- 
thony that which the Divine Master had promised to 
His disciples: l ' For I will give you a mouth and wis- 
dom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to re- 
sist and gainsay." (Luke 21 : 15). 

He easily discovered their fraud and cunning, dis- 
credited their infamous teachings, and reproached them 
with great energy. There was no one at that time who 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 43 

could attack the heretics with such force as Anthony, 
and for this reason he was called the "Hammer of 
Heretics." 

His labors, which he sustained with great zeal, were 
not without fruit ; for, beside the great merit he was 
acquiring for himself, God was pleased to reward him 
by granting him the power to perform miracles and to 
convert a great many sinners. 



CHAPTER VII. 



ST. ANTHONY TEACHES THEOLOGY IN MONTPELLIER ST. 

FRANCIS APPEARS IN THE CHAPTER OF ARLES — ST. ANTHONY 

IS SEEN AT THE SAME TIME IN TWO PLACES HE TEACHES 

THEOLOGY IN TOULOUSE. 

TO the apostolic ministry our saint added teaching, 
and while in Montpellier he discharged this duty 
with universal satisfaction, reading sacred theology to 
the Friars Minor. While he was thus employed oc- 
curred a memorable incident, worthy to be related. He 
had with him an exposition on the Psalms, written by 
himself, in which he had gathered the best part of the 
Old and New Testaments, and from w r hich, as from a 
fountain, he drank of that celestial wisdom which en- 
abled him to explain theological questions, and gave 
weight and force to his sermons for the benefit of souls. 
A novice, tired of the religious life, resolved to re- 
turn to the world, and having seen the book containing 
the exposition on the Psalms, stole it and fled from the 
monastery. The saint, grieved at the loss of a book so 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 45 

useful and necessary to him, immediately had recourse 
to prayer, requesting the Lord not only to have 'mercy 
on the unhappy young man, but also to induce him to 
restore the stolen book. His prayer was heard by the 
Lord. The devil, compelled by divine command, ap- 
peared to the young man in the form of a horrible mon- 
ster, and stopped him, saying: wi Go back and restore 
immediately that which you have stolen, otherwise I 
will kill you and throw you into the river." The 
young man, terrified at the sight, and frightened by the 
threat of death, humbly returned to the monastery, and 
throwing himself at the feet of the saint, begged par- 
don for his fault and restored the book; realizing by 
divine mercy what had happened to him, he begged to 
be again admitted into the order, and his request' was 
granted. The saint, full of compassion, forgave him, 
and exhorted him to persevere in the service of the 
Lord. 

From this fact the practice of having recourse to the 
saint to find lost things had its beginning. William 
Pepino, of the Order of Preachers, a doctor in Paris, 
affirms that this is a privilege which the Lord deigned 
to grant to St. Anthony, and adds that he himself ex- 
perienced the effects of his patronage. 

The Friars Minor were already established in France, 
through Houoriu's III., in 1220, who recommended 
them to the bishops and prelates of that country for 



46 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

their exemplary lives, which won for them the good 
will of the people. 

In the year 1224 the friars assembled in the Monas- 
tery of Aries to hold the provincial chapter, and treat 
about those things pertaining to the welfare of that 
province, of which John Bo lello, a Florentine, was 
minister-general. St. Anthony was present, and ad- 
dressed a devout sermon to his confreres. It was at 
this chapter was seen the wonderful apparition to which 
Father Bartholomew of Trent, of the Friars Preachers, 
a contemporary writer, testified, and St. Bonaventure, 
in the " Life of St. Francis," thus describes it : — 

"As St. Francis could not be present at every pro- 
vincial chapter to give his orders, with fervent prayers 
for the happy success of the same, and his blessing, 
sometimes it pleased God, in His omnipotence, to make 
him appear in a sensible manner, as it happened in the 
chapter of Aries. While Anthony was addressing his 
confreres on the Passion of Jesus, and upon the in- 
scription of the cross, 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the 
Jews,' a religious named Monaldus, a man of great 
virtue, moved by the spirit of the Lord, turned his eyes 
toward the door and saw blessed Francis raised up in 
the air, with arms stretched in the form of a cross, in 
the act of giving his blessing to the assembly. Then 
all felt themselves filled with so great a spiritual con- 
solation that they felt assured of the presence of their 



1AVE OF ST. ANTHONY. 47 

father, and this afterward became more certain, for 
St. Francis himself confirmed it." 

" There must be no difficulty in believing this prod- 
igy," adds the same seraphic doctor, "for, as God per- 
mitted that the holy Bishop Ambrose should be present 
at the funeral of St. Martin, so He willed that the 
truths announced by His servant Anthony, and especially 
those on the cross of Christ, should receive new strength 
and efficacy by the presence of His servant Francis, 
who carried the cross with courage, and preached it 
with zeal." 

St. Anthony, in the midst of his labors as professor 
of theology and preacher, did not neglect his duty as a 
religious, and in as much as possible never dispensed 
himse'lf. Of his diligence in the service of God we 
have a clear testimony from the following incident : — 

In the year 1225 the saint was preaching in the Cathe- 
dral Church of Montpellier, on Easter Sunday, in the 
j^resence of the clergy and a great multitude of people 
who came to hear him. Having begun his sermon, he 
remarked that he had forgotten to fulfil a duty imposed 
on him, and that he had not substituted another re- 
ligious in his place. It was customary, on the principal 
solemnities, for two worthy friars to sing the ''Alleluia " 
in the conventual Mass, and Anthony was one of the 
two who had to sing it. As soon as he perceived this 
slight fault he became very much afflicted ; he leaned his 



48 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

head on the pulpit, and covered his head with his cowl, 
remaining in that posture for some time in the presence 
of his numerous hearers. God permitted that he should 
appear in the choir to sing the " Alleluia " at the same 
hour that he was seen in the pulpit. After having dis- 
charged his duty he returned to himself, as if awak- 
ing from a profound sleep, and continued his sermon. 

God made use of such prodigies to manifest His 
omnipotence in the person of His beloved servant An- 
thony, who was full of zeal for His glory and the sal- 
vation of souls, as He manifested His infinite power in 
the persons of other saints. It is a well-known fact that 
St. Severus, Bishop of Ravenna, while celebrating 
Mass in his church, assisted at the same time at the death 
of St. Zaminianus, Bishop of Modena. 

In this same year (1225) Anthony went from Mont- 
pellier to Toulouse, where, although he remained but a 
short time, he read theology to the friars, without inter- 
rupting his principal duty of preaching, arguing against 
the errors of the Albigenses, and bringing them back 
into the bosom of the Church by the force of his argu- 
ments, his example and his miracles. 




CHAPTER VIII. 



ST. ANTHONY IS ELECTED SUPERIOR OF PUY THE SAIXT FORE- 
TELLS THE MARTYRDOM OF A CHILD UNBORN PREACHING, 

HE IS HEARD AT A DISTANCE OF TWO MILES HE IS MADE 

CUSTOS OF THE LIMOUSIN HE PREACHES THERE. 

ST. ANTHONY, besides being gifted by Almighty 
God with supernatural qualities, had, also a remark- 
able ability for governing, "and he was raised to several 
offices by his superiors. 

Having read theology in Toulouse, the saint was ap- 
pointed Superior of the Convent of Puy. This was in 
the year 1227, according to Wadding. He discharged all 
the obligations of a superior with great diligence and 
prudence, watching over the spiritual and temporal wel- 
fare of his subjects, without neglecting the apostolic 
ministry, for, with his constant preaching, and by the 
efficacy of his example, he succeeded in causing the 
people to reform their lives. 

Among others he gained a notary public, given up to 
a worldly and sinful life. Whenever the saint met him 



50 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

lie used to bow to him profoundly and kneel before him. 
The notary, knowing well that he was unworthy of 
such demonstrations of esteem and respect, did not 
know what to say ; on the contrary, he believed that the 
saint did it to ridicule him, and he was so offended that 
he could not tolerate his presence, and used every means 
possible to avoid him. One day the saint met him acci- 
dentally, and as usual bowed to him. The notary, 
greatly incensed, said to him: "If it were not for the 
fear of God I would take vengeance with the sword. 
Why do you make a laughing-stock of me, and render 
me an object of ridicule? What do you mean by these 
genuflexions of yours ? " The man of God thus an- 
swered him : " How willingly I would have sacrificed 
my life to God in order to be a martyr, but it did 
not please Him that I should be one. He has re- 
vealed to me that you will be a martyr, and for this 
reason I honor you in anticipation of the illustrious 
crown you will gain. I pray you, therefore, to remem- 
ber me at the time of your martyrdom." The notary 
laughed at this, but the prophecy was afterward veri- 
fied. 

From this it is evident that Anthony received from 
heaven the gift of prophecy, which is confirmed by 
another prediction he made in the city of Puy. A 
woman, about to give birth to a child, recommended 
herself to St. Anthony. He prayed to the Lord and told 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 5t 

her to be of good heart, because she would bring forth 
a child who would become great in the Church, that he 
would belong to the Order of the Friars Minor, and 
would gain the palm of martyrdom by the shedding of 
his blood for the faith of Jesus Christ. The child re^ 
ceived the name of Philip at baptism, and at the proper 
age he became a Franciscan. He made great progress 
in the love and fear of God, and by a special vocation 
from heaven, and. with his superior's permission, went 
to the Holy Land. 

Philip arrived at Axoto, which at that time had 
fallen into the hands of the Saracens, who, as soon as 
they occupied it, condemned to death all the Christians, 
numbering about two thousand. Among them was 
Philip. He feared that some of the Christians, fright- 
ened by such a sentence, might renounce their faith, 
and asked the sultan to let him be the last to be be- 
headed. His request was granted, for the Saracens 
thought that in the meantime he might be terrified by 
the torments of the others, and would deny his faith ; 
but they were deceived. Philip asked this favor in 
order to confirm the others in the faith. No sooner had 
the Saracens begun the slaughter than Philip, with 
heroic fortitude, began to comfort and animate the Chris- 
tians to shed their blood generously for Jesus Christ. 
He succeeded so happily in this that when they were 
asked if they wished to abandon their faith to save 



5? LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

their lives all remained firm in their faith. Philip, full 
of apostolic courage, exhorted them to be constant, and 
to act as true soldiers of Jesus Christ, because God had 
revealed to him that on that very day he would enter 
into heaven with a great multitude of martyrs. Com- 
forted by this promise they cheerfully offered them- 
selves to their executioners. The sultan, perceiv- 
ing this, became furious, and commanded that Philip 
should be punished by more atrocious torments for hav- 
ing exhorted the Christians to reject the religion of Mo- 
hammed, and ordered that he should be flayed as far 
as the loins, and cut out his tongue. Philip, as he 
could no longer exhort the Christians by words, did so 
by signs, and much more by his example. Finally, when 
all had sacrificed their lives for the faith of Christ, 
Philip courageously offered himself to the executioner 
to receive the crown of martyrdom. And thus the pre- 
diction of Anthony was verified to the very letter. 

The people of the territory of Puy and the surround- 
ing towns came in great numbers to hear Anthony 
preach, and they had a great love for him. A pious 
woman desired very much to follow him, as he was 
going to preach in a village two miles distant. She 
asked leave of her husband, but he refused, as he was 
ill and needed her assistance. She obeyed, but was 
greatly grieved. She went to a window in the upper 
part of her house which overlooked the place where the 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 53 

saint was preaching ; she stood still for some time, lis- 
tening intently, and behold ! the voice of the saint was 
heard by her, and by her alone, as if he were near by. 
Her husband began to laugh at her, and thought she 
was crazy. She protested that she understood very well 
what the saint was saying. The husband, in order to 
assure himself of the truth, went to the same window 
and heard clearly the words of St. Anthony. He was 
moved by this wonderful event, and not only did not 
prevent his wife from going to hear the saint in the 
future, but was always present himself. 

Besides the city of Puy, which he sanctified by his 
preaching, the people in the surrounding towns also 
had the privilege of listening to him, as he imitated 
his Divine Master in going about here and there to an- 
nounce the words of eternal life to men. 

The superiors, considering the great merits and ability 
of St. Anthony, thought it proper, for the welfare of the 
order, to appoint him custos in the province of the 
Limousin. He made an excellent superior, having a 
true zeal for religious discipline, a singular charity 
toward his friars, and great justice and prudence in 
governing. Accompanied by eighteen other religious 
he went from Limoges to Limousin, where he was re- 
ceived with great veneration by the people, for the fame 
of his sanctity, miracles and learning made them desir- 
ous to see and hear him ; and his sermons were so 



$4 



LIFE OP^ ST. ANTHONY. 



filled with benedictions by our Lord that the people 
were moved and penetrated by the evangelical maxims 
announced by him. Hence the saint had the consola- 
tion to see here, as the fruits of his words, licentiousness 
banished, abuses removed, vice destroyed, and the love 
of Christian virtue introduced. 




CHAPTER IX. 



ST. ANTHONY FOUNDS CONVENTS IN LIMOGES, BRIVES AND 

AqUITANIA HE RESTORES THE HAIR OF A WOMAN — JESUS 

CHRIST APPEARS TO HIM. 

THE people, grateful to Anthony for the immense 
good he was accomplishing among them, had a 
great veneration for him, and, anxious to have him in 
their midst, built convents and churches for him and 
his confreres. He received from the people of Limoges 
a house, which was the first convent of the custody of 
Limousin, of which he became superior. In the city of 
Brives, diocese of Limoges, a benefactor of his named 
Quintus de Falcici, built, at his own expense, a house 
for the Friars Minor, which was demolished by the per- 
fidious heretics in that same century, and two saintly 
religious were killed, — Stephen da Berda and Anthony 
da Belvedere, who detested their impiety and opposed 
them with invincible constancy by preaching the faith 
of the Holy Roman Church. 



56 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

In this new convent our saint lived for quite a time. 
A short distance outside the city was a grotto, .where 
he excavated in a rock a small font, in the manner of 
a hollow cove, to gather in it the water which sprung 
from the rock ; and here he formed for himself a nar- 
row cell, in which he used to retire to pray and apply 
himself to the exercise of an austere and penitential 
life. He founded another convent in Guienne, named 
for him, which was destroyed a few years later by the 
heretics. 

The people were greatly edified by the virtuous lives 
of the friars, and they loved them and helped them in 
their necessities. We read of a pious woman whose 
sincere charity toward the Friars Minor was rewarded 
by God in the following manner : She went out to 
procure something for them, and while she was en- 
gaged in this work w r as overtaken by night. She feared 
to return home so late, because she had a stern and 
jealous husband, who disliked to see her occupied in 
helping the religious, and he continually maltreated her. 
Her fear was not in vain, as she had no sooner entered 
the house than the enraged husband resented it greatly, 
and began at once to abuse her ; he dragged her around 
the room by the hair, pulling a greater part of it out. 
She was greatly grieved at its loss, and at having to ap- 
pear in public so deformed. She gathered all the hair 
scattered here and there, and the day after she sent for 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 



57 



St. Anthony, because, being compelled to remain in 
bed, he would deign to visit her. The charitable father 
went immediately to her house, and was informed of 
what had taken place. She showed him the hair which 
had been pulled out, saying that it happened to her on 
account of her charity toward the friars, and requested 
him, as soon as he returned to the convent, to pray to 
the Lord, in order that He might restore her hair. The 
saint prayed fervently, with his religious, for their 
afflicted benefactress, and she immediately experienced 
a wonderful effect, for the Lord relieved her sufferings 
and restored her hair. The husband, who saw this 
wonderful miracle, repented, and from that time he 
even surpassed his wife in affection toward the Order 
of St. Francis. 

Anthony, knowing well that meditation is a powerful 
means to overcome the passions and temptations by 
which religious persons, as well as others, are sur- 
rounded, insisted that his friars should attend to mental 
prayer, by which the soul can always gather some good 
fruit and acquire more fervor to accomplish the duties 
of one's vocation ; this happens in the soul through 
those intimate communications with which God favors 
those who love recollection and solitude of heart, flying 
as much as possible from the turmoils and cares of the 
world. x\nthony enjoyed greatly to be alone, in order 
that he might treat more familiarly with God, the only 



5& LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

object of his love, whence he merited the singular favor 
which is related by his biographers. 

While traveling through Limoges a pious benefactor 
gave him lodging, and perceiving that he desired to be 
far from the noise, assigned him a room separated from 
the others. It was night when the owner, either by 
chance or on purpose, passed near the room of the 
saint, and he observed that rays of unusual light came 
through the cracks of the door. He was curious to know 
the reason of that light, and approached the door very 
slowly. He saw Anthony kneeling, as if in ecstasy, 
and, full of wonder, admiring and caressing a loving 
child of rare beauty, who was tenderly embracing the 
saint. Then the man knew, from the affectionate con- 
versation, and from the superhuman beauty, that it was 
Jesus Christ who, under the appearance of a loving 
child, was pleased to visit His faithful servant and fill 
him with His ineffable consolation. 

While Anthony was delighting himself in this celes- 
tial entertainment the Holy Infant revealed to him that 
his host was outside the room observing everything, and 
that He deigned to favor Anthony with that heavenly 
vision for the spiritual joy, also, of his devout bene- 
factor in recompense for the hospitality shown His 
servant. 

The day after, while they were speaking of the great 
mercy shown by Jesus Christ to mankind, Anthony re- 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 59 

quested the man not to mention the vision to any one 
while he (Anthony) lived. As soon as he received the 
news of Anthony's death he made known to notable 
persons the wonderful apparition of Jesus Christ to St. 
Anthony, testifying on the Holy Gospel the truth of 
what he had seen. This remarkable favor has given 
the faithful reason to represent St. Anthony of Padua 
with the child Jesus in his arms, the child reaching up 
His hands as if to embrace the saint. 

After this event it happened that our saint, while 
traveling, passed by the Abbey of the Benedictines of 
Solignac, where he stopped. One of the monks had been 
tempted for a longtime by the devil. The temptation 
did not cease, although he resisted it by prayers and 
fasting, because the Lord had reserved the remedy for 
his affliction to the merits of the saint. The poor monk 
cast himself at St. Anthony's feet, requesting him to 
hear his confession ; the good father consented, and the 
monk made known his faults; afterward, having told 
him about the temptation by which he was afflicted, he 
humbly begged the saint to help him. Moved to com- 
passion at such a request Anthony took him aside, and, 
removing his own habit, gave it to the monk and told 
him to put it on. The moment he did so the tempta- 
tion left him. 




CHAPTER X. 



FROM FRANCE ANTHONY RETURNS TO ITALY BY A STORM HE 

IS DRIVEN ONCE MORE TO SICILY HE FOUNDS THE CON- 
VENTS OF CEFALU, NOTO, LEONTINI, AND PRATA — FROM 

SICILY HE GOES TO ROME ANTHONY PREACHES IN THE 

CONSISTORY TO THE CARDINALS. 

THE presence of Anthony being no less necessary in 
Italy than in France, to oppose with his doctrine 
the heresy which was spreading, and to destroy with his 
apostolic zeal the vices which kept so many souls bound, 
and were leading them to perdition, God permitted that 
he should return to Italy. This was after the death of 
St. Francis, which took place on the fourth of October, 
i 226. 

The Seraphic Father having gone to his repose, 
Brother Elias, vicar-general of the order, wrote a cir- 
cular letter to all the provinces of the order, in which, 
after having expressed his profound grief at the great loss 
they had sustained, and also giving a sublime opinion of 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 6l 

the sanctity of the holy founder, he showed the neces- 
sity of providing the order with a superior to govern it, 
since it had been orphaned by the death of its founder. 
For this reason a General Chapter was to be held, and 
it was necessary, according to the rule, that all the pro- 
vincials and custos should be present. St. Anthony, 
who was at that time custos of Limousin, was among 
the number. 

He started, therefore, for Italy, with his companion, 
passing through Provence. At first the voyage promised 
to be smooth, but a sudden and fierce tempest arose, by 
which they almost suffered shipwreck, and they were 
driven to Sicily. This was the second time the saint 
landed in Sicily. Here, since the year 1222, was a con- 
vent, named St. Leo, where St. Anthony resided for 
some time. It is a constant tradition among the Sicil- 
ians that during the time of his stay there he founded 
some convents ; namely, that of Cefalu, w T here a cypress 
planted by him was preserved over three hundred years ; 
on account of malaria only a few friars dwelt in this 
convent ; one in the city of Noto, situated in a most 
beautiful place, one in Leontini, and one in Prata. 

The great esteem in which the saint was held by the 
Bishop of Prata, and the singular kindness which he 
showed him w^ere the occasion of envy to an ill-minded 
man whose hatred of Anthony was so great that he used 
every means in his power to discredit him. This man, 



62 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

under the cloak of religion and devotion toward the holy 
man, invited him to dinner on Friday. The saint ac- 
cepted through politeness, and the malignant man 
ordered that a fowl should first be brought to the table, 
that he might accuse him of hypocrisy should he par- 
take of it ; and when Anthony refused it, because it was 
forbidden by the Church and the rule of his order, the 
perfidious man said boldly that the holy gospel com- 
mands us to eat whatever is placed before us, according 
to the saying of Jesus Christ: " Manducate quae appo- 
nuntur vobis," and for this reason the divine precept 
should not be transgressed by preferring a precept of 
the Seraphic Rule or of Holy Mother Church. To this 
false argument the saint gave no other answer than to 
explain the sense of the quoted words, showing that they 
contained no command. Notwithstanding, on account 
of his ill health, Anthony partook of the fowl, being 
dispensed by the Church and the rule of the order. 

This was enough to make that ill-minded man pre- 
tend to believe that he had gained a victory and had 
evident proof to defame him. He began at once to 
slander him, and having gathered the bones of the fowl, 
brought them in triumph to the bishop, saying: "Be- 
hold, monsignor, of what Anthony (of whom you have 
so great an opinion) partakes on Friday. It is evident 
now that he is a hypocrite, and not the holy man he is 
reputed by the people." But, wonderful to relate, in 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 63 

the act of showing them they were changed into the 
bones of a fish ! The slanderer was very much sur- 
prised at the sight of this prodigy, and, full of confu- 
sion, returned home ; he confessed publicly his wick- 
edness against the saint, of whom he humbly begged 
pardon. Thus God wished to manifest the innocence 
of Anthony to the confusion of him who was trying to 
discredit him, as He did in similar emergencies in favor 
of other servants of His. 

After living in Sicily for some time the superiors 
ordered Anthony to go to Rome, to treat of some im- 
portant affair. Pope Honorius III., of the illustrious 
house of Savelli, who approved the rule of the Friars 
Minor, departed this life on the eighteenth of March, 
1227. Cardinal Ugolino, bishop of Ostia, of the cele- 
brated family of Conti of Segni, the intimate friend of St. 
Francis, and founder of various convents, and to whom 
the Seraphic Father had long before predicted the pon- 
tificate, succeeded him. His singular merits and vir- 
tues, the labors which he had sustained for the Church, 
and the integrity of his life had so won the esteem of 
the cardinals that there was not one who did not judge 
him a worthy successor of St. Peter. For this reason 
they did not delay long in electing him, for he was 
chosen the day after the death of Honorius. 

Now, as the newly-elected pontiff had full informa- 
tion as to the sanctity and magnificent achievements of 



64 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

Anthony, we can have no doubt of the pleasure which 
his arrival caused the Pope and the cardinals. In fact, 
he was received by the Holy Father and Sacred College 
with such great demonstrations of esteem and kindness 
that he was certain to be successful in his mission, and 
through the favor, the assistance and advice o£ those 
princes of the Church he obtained from Pope Gregory 
IX. what he desired. 

The Holy Father, anxious to hear from Anthony the 
divine Word, ordered him to preach in the consistory to 
the Sacred College of Cardinals. Anthony obeyed, and 
preached with such grace and clear style that alj. were 
enraptured, and at the same time they thought that what 
they heard surpassed the fame which had spread every- 
where of his admirable wisdom and most profound 
erudition. As he was explaining the mysteries con- 
tained in the Holy Scriptures with such great eloquence 
and sublimity of doctrine he was highly praised and 
applauded by all, but more especially by the Pope, who, 
full of wonder, called him " Ark of the Testament and 
of Faith." With reason was this title given him, for 
he had so fixed in his memory the Old as well as the 
New Testament, that if they had been lost Anthony 
would, like another Esdras, have written them again liter- 
ally, so that when he preached he had great facility in 
quoting the Sacred Scriptures and adapting them to 
every subject he treated, 



CHAPTER XI. 



ANTHONY PREACHES IN ROME TO PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT 
NATIONALITIES ALL UNDERSTAND HIM IN THEIR OWN LAN- 
GUAGE — GENERAL CHAPTER — ST. ANTHONY IS ELECTED PRO- 
INCIAL THE SAINT GOES TO RIMINI. 

ANTHONY'S biographers relate a wonderful event 
which happened in the capital of Christendom 
while he was preaching, by order of the vicar of Christ, 
to a great multitude of pilgrims of different nationalities, 
who were there for the solemnity of Easter. Almighty 
God granted him the supernatural virtue of being under- 
stood by all present in their own language, as if he had 
the knowledge of all the languages. This prodigy was 
authenticated by the testimony of thousands who had 
heard him. Thus it pleased the Lord to renew in Rome 
the miracle of the apostles, who, after they received the 
Holv Ghost, preached to the people of different nation- 
alities who had come to Jerusalem for the feast of Pen- 
tecost. By this miracle God wished to authorize the 
merit and the apostolic mission of Anthony, for the edi- 



66 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

fication and the salvation of souls, as we read that in 
the subsequent centuries he wrought such wonders 
through other apostolic men; for instance, St. Ber- 
nardine of Siena, in the council of Florence, St. 
Ludovic Bertrand, and St. Francis Solanus, the apostle 
of South America. 

From these wonderful deeds of Anthony we can well 
understand in what great veneration he was held by the 
Roman citizens and the strangers who were there, and 
how the Pope and the cardinals had more esteem for him 
than before. Gregory IX., in his bull on the canoniza- 
tion of St. Anthony, attested to having himself expe- 
rienced his holiness of life and his supernatural gifts. 

In the year 1227 was held in Rome the General Chap- 
ter of the Friars Minor, for the election of the successor 
of St. Francis, at which the Roman pontiff presided. 
Brother Elias, who was vicar-general of the order, was 
elected. St. Anthony was made provincial of Emilia. 

On account of his humility the saint was far from de- 
siring office, whence w r e can imagine the repugnance 
that he must have felt in accepting this new honor ; but 
he saw that it was necessary for him to obey the fathers 
who had elected him, and with equal humility submitted 
himself to their will by accepting the administration of 
the province of Emilia, which he afterward governed 
with wisdom and discretion. The conduct of Anthony 
in this election shows that he was well aware of the 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 6 J 

duties attached to the office of those who have to pre- 
side over others, and that they must render a strict ac= 
count before God's tribunal of the souls committed to 
their care, and that the duties of a pastor consist in 
preaching to his flock and in giving them good example. 
All these reasons overwhelmed him with fear, and he 
never allowed himself to desire an office. Would' to 
God that these truths were well pondered by those who, 
moved by their ambition and self-interest, aspire to high 
offices, not understanding the dangers by which they 
are surrounded, thereby procuring their own ruin and 
that of others ! 

The Lord, who has at heart the conversion of sin- 
ners, guided the footsteps of Anthony, His zealous min- 
ister, toward those places and cities of Italy where He 
had decreed to show in a special manner His infinite 
mercy and omnipotence. Anthonv, moved by divine 
instinct, went to Rimini, a beautiful city of Emilia, on 
the river Marecchia, near the Adriatic Sea. He saw the 
deplorable state of this city, which greatly needed one 
who would purify it from the heresy with which many 
of its inhabitants were infected. He therefore gathered 
the inhabitants, to whom he began to preach with great 
fervor of spirit and refuted their errors with most clear 
proofs. His efficacious sermons, full of wisdom, made 
great impression on the hearts of his hearers, who gave 
up their heretical sentiments and returned to the faith. 



6S LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

Among the number was a certain Bonello, heresiarch, a 
noble citizen of Rimini, who, after having been in- 
volved in the darkness of heresy for thirty years,- was 
recalled by the saint to the Catholic religion, in which 
he persevered to the very end as a faithful child of the 
church. 

It was then, as the writers of Anthony's life affirm, 
that the wonderful miracle of the fishes happened, when 
they gathered to hear the divine Word from the mouth 
of Anthony. He was striving hard to eradicate the 
errors from that city, and to bring back the heretics to the 
true fold ; but although they were convinced by his 
arguments, and at the same time confused, they still re- 
mained obstinate, and, proudly despising his doctrines, 
did not want to hear him. The saint did not lose cour- 
age, but, armed with faith and full of zeal for the 
Church of God, and for the salvation of those unhappy 
people, he went toward the place where the river 
Marecchia flows into the sea, and here, after having 
called men to hear him, at the same time called the 
fishes, addressing them thus: "Come, O fishes of the 
sea and of the river, to hear the divine Word, which 
perfidious and obstinate men despise to hear." 

No sooner had he addressed them than fishes of every 
kind appeared in large numbers with their heads out of 
the water. It really was a grand sight to see them dis- 
posed in such beautiful order, according to their species, 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 69 

quality and size, the smaller ones near the shore and the 
larger ones at a greater distance, and they remained im- 
movable, as if they were waiting to hear the divine 
Word. The saint, seeing them thus gathered, began 
his sermon. He explained to them, by passages of the 
Sacred Scriptures, the many benefits which they had 
received from their Creator. He said that He had 
assigned to them as their habitation the vast and noble 
element of water ; that He had prepared for them in 
the water places to take refuge from tempests and other 
dangers ; that He had made the water clear and trans- 
parent, in order that they might be able to see where 
to go ; that He had provided for them the necessary 
food for their nourishment ; that in the universal deluge 
He had preserved them from perishing, and distinguished 
them also by various privileges ; since Jonah, being 
thrown into the sea, was saved by a fish, so that he 
should execute the command of God to preach to the 
Ninivites ; that Jesus Christ proved his poverty and that 
of St. Peter by paying tribute to Caesar with a piece of 
money found in the mouth of a fish ; that He partook 
of fish before entering into heaven, to show by it His 
resurrection and His true humanity. For these and 
many other things he impressed on them the necessity 
of thanking their celestial Benefactor. 

As if gifted with understanding they applauded the 
holy preacher by bending their heads, seeming to ap- 



7 o 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 



prove what he was saying, and as if they knew the 
obligations they were under for the benefits they had 
received from God ; and they did not go away until the 
saint gave them his blessing. 




CHAPTER XIT. 



THE HERETICS ARE CONVERTED BY THE MIRACLES OF ST. 

ANTHONY ANTHONY INDUCES A MARE TO ADORE THE 

BLESSED SACRAMENT. 

THE wise of this world, particularly of our day, who 
do not admit the existence of miracles, will, per- 
haps, ask the question : Why preach to- the fishes, since 
they are incapable of understanding? But why did 
David and the three youths invite the fishes of the sea, 
the sheep, the serpents, and the birds to praise the Lord? 
A heart enamored of God would wish that all creatures 
should have hearts and tongues to extol the glories of 
the Author of their existence. But if irrational creatures 
cannot praise the Lord with their hearts and tongues, 
they glorify Him at least with their natural beauty, 
variety, and with their continual obedience to His laws, 
which qualities are admirable works of His infinite 
wisdom, providence, and goodness. St. Anthony, by 
inviting them to praise the Lord, induces us to admire 



J2 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

His sovereign and ineffable providence. Moreover, the 
irrational creatures, considered in their own natural 
properties, move and excite the heart of man to give 
thanks and to praise the Divine Maker ; hence, in a cer- 
tain way, they make use of the tongue and heart of man 
to thank and praise Him. 

St. Francis, also persuaded of the truth of these max- 
ims, while near Bevagna, as St. Bonaventure says, saw 
a large number of birds of different species. He saluted 
them as if they were endowed with reason, and while he 
was approaching them they all looked at him attentively. 
He thus spoke to them : " Dear brother birds, hearken 
to the Word of God. You have great reason to praise 
your Creator. He has clothed you with feathers, has 
given you wings to fly with, has placed you in the 
region of the air which is very pure, and provides you 
with everything, without your co-operation." The holy 
doctor adds that it was wonderful to see the joy they 
showed while Francis was addressing them ; they 
stretched their necks, extended their wings, opened 
their beaks and looked with fixed eyes at the holy 
preacher, who, with unspeakable fervor of spirit, 
walked to and fro among them ; and if they were on 
the nearest branches, sometimes the saint touched them 
with his habit, not one of them moving. They only 
flew away after he had blessed them and given them 
permission. 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 73 

We cannot doubt that in the^e cases the saints oper- 
ated with great consideration and prudence, since it is 
evident that God approved the sermons they directed to 
irrational creatures by rendering them ready and obedi- 
ent to their orders in a wonderful way. It was purely 
and simply to confirm evermore the divine Word, either 
by giving some salutary advice or to excite the practice 
of some virtue, as we can see from the circumstance of 
place and person by which the saints felt themselves 
thus moved to act. 

The obedience and the attention with which the fishes 
listened to the words of St. Anthony, and the birds to 
those of St. Francis, make us understand how much 
more solicitous man should be to hear the Word of God, 
and culpable was the negligence and stubbornness of 
those who refused to hear it, since it seemed that 
irrational creatures heard it. 

Severus Sulpicio relates that St. Martin of Tours, 
while near a river, saw a serpent trying to get near him, 
and he commanded it, in the name of the Lord, to go 
back; the serpent obeyed at once. While the disciples 
who were with him were admiring this prodigy the 
man of God broke forth in a loud cry, complaining of 
the foolishness of the people, saying: "The serpents 
hear me and men do not," meaning by this that rational 
beings, helped by divine grace, do not pay attention to 
the Word of God, while the irrational ones do it from 
the impulse of divine virtue. 



74 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

St. Anthony did not cease to attack the false doctrines 
of the heretics. One day he began to dispnle with great 
courage with their chief, named Bonello. This .man, 
more obstinate than ever in his heresy, by which he 
openly denied the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the 
Holy Eucharist, impiously ridiculed this most adorable 
mystery, and said that he would feed his mare with this 
heavenly food. As he saw that his errors were refuted 
with great ability and strong reasons, he did not know 
what to answer; his sophisms and subterfuges, by which 
he attempted to defend his false doctrine, did not avail 
him, and he had recourse to another strategy, saying: 
"If you, O Anthony, would show me by a miracle, in 
the presence of all, that in the Eucharist there is really 
the body of Jesus Christ, I promise you to renounce im- 
mediately the teachings of my sect and submit myself to 
the yoke of the Catholic religion." 

"I am willing," answered Anthony, with confidence. 
" I confide in my Lord Jesus Christ, who, to gain your 
soul and those of many others who follow you blindly 
in your errors, will deign to grant that which you 
ask." 

Bonello then said : "I will keep my mare closed up 
for three days without giving her any food, and after- 
ward I will lead her out in the presence of all the 
people. If the hungry mare will not touch the oats, but 
come immediately to adore the God whom you say is in 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 75 

the Host, then I will submit myself to the faith of the 
Roman Church." 

Anthony, moved by divine impulse, consented to this 
proposal, and, animated by a great faith in his victory, 
this being the cause of God, he prepared himself for it 
by prayer. 

When the day appointed for the trial arrived an im- 
mense number of people gathered in the public square. 
Meanwhile Anthony went out of the monastery and en- 
tered a chapel near by, where he prayed, and, after a 
most devout preparation, celebrated the Holy Sacrifice 
of the Mass. Afterward he came out of the church 
carrying the Blessed Sacrament, and thus presented him- 
self to the people. All the faithful then prostrated 
themselves in profound adoration ; but proud Bonello 
stood up, surrounded by his followers. Anthony, after 
he had prayed again to the Lord, began to speak with 
great eloquence on the institution, virtue, dignity, and 
excellence of the ineffable Sacrament of the Holy 
Eucharist, which he was holding in his hands. 

In the meantime the hungry mare was led out, and 
immediately the heretics placed before her the oats, be- 
lieving that she would devour them at once, but they 
were deceived, for the saint thus spoke to the beast : 
" In virtue and in the name of your Creator, whom I, 
although an unworthy priest, hold in my hands, I order 
you to immediately adore Him, in order that the heretics 



j6 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

should understand that every creature recognizes its 
Creator, who is handled by priests every day on the 
sacred table." 

As soon as the servant of Christ had spoken, the 
mare, despising the food which the heretics offered to 
her, approached, with her head inclined, and bent her 
knees before the Blessed Sacrament in the act of adora- 
tion. 

The joy of the Catholics was very great at the sight of 
such a wonderful miracle, and the heretics were con- 
fused and ashamed. From one side were heard praises 
and blessings by the Catholics, who gave thanks to God, 
exalting at the same time our holy faith; on the other 
side the heretical depravity saw itself beaten and con- 
fused. 

The Heresiarch Bonello, in whose doctrine his fol- 
lowers had placed every confidence, finally opened his 
eyes, after thirty years of deplorable blindness, to the 
light of the Catholic faith. He detested publicly all the 
heresies of his sect, and he was ever afterward an obedi- 
ent child of Holy Mother Church. The greater num- 
ber of his followers imitated his example, and others 
also, when they heard what had happened. 




CHAPTER XIII. 



ANTHONY EATS POISONED FOOD — BY THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 

THE SAINT CHANGES A TOAD INTO A FOWL HE TEACHES 

THEOLOGY IN RIMINI. 

A WRITER of the life of St. Francis observes that 
the conversion of leaders and teachers of heresies 
is very rare ; it seems that God had granted to St. Anthony 
the gift of converting heretics, who afterward persevered 
in the Catholic religion till death. We read in history 
that nearly all the authors of heresies never sincerely re- 
turned to the Church, but obstinately persisted in their 
errors as long as they lived. "It would be easy," adds 
the same writer, "to give recent examples, as, for in- 
stance, Theodorus Beza, who, at the age of 70, resisted 
the fervent exhortation of St. Francis de Sales to give 
up his false doctrines, and a few years after he died in 
the heresy of Calvin, whose successor he was. This is 
a just punishment of God upon such proud and rebel- 
lious men, who lead to destruction an immense number 



78 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

of souls by seducing them with their false doctrines, and 
by their authority and unlawful means. 

Pride blindfolded those heretics in such a way that it 
w T as difficult to induce them to surrender themselves; it 
is not to be wondered at, therefore, that they did not 
submit their mind to the truth, although St. Anthony 
preached to them incessantly. They even became more 
furious against him, and plotted to take his life. At 
Rimini they resolved to put him to death by poisoning 
him. Under a false pretext of friendship, they invited 
him to dine with them one day. The saint accepted the 
invitation willingly, since an opportunity was afforded 
him to confer with them on the truths of faith and recall 
them from their errors, thus imitating Jesus Christ, who, 
for similar motives, did not disdain to eat with publicans 
and sinners. 

The saint sat down at the table, and, with apparent 
kindness, they offered him, among other viands, some- 
thing that contained a deadly poison. Anthony knew, 
by a special revelation, what they had done, and he re- 
monstrated with them in a fatherly way. When they 
found that their plot was discovered they had recourse 
to a lie, and, imitating the father of lies, frankly said to 
him: " It is true that we have poisoned this food, but 
for no other motive than to prove the truth of those 
evangelical words by which Jesus Christ assured His 
disciples, saying: 'If they shall drink any deadly thing 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 79 

it shall not hurt them.' Now we shall know if this 
promise is infallible ; and you, who are the minister of 
the gospel, can, with security and without danger, eat of 
this food, although poisoned." 

The saint retorted to this malicious expedient by 
making them understand that it was not necessary that 
the evangelical text quoted by them should always be 
verified materially ; that God would work this miracle 
when it was necessary for His designs, and that His 
infinite power should never be tempted by indiscreet 
trials; neither must faith depend on these, whose in- 
fallible certitude is accompanied by divine revelation. 
In the beginning of the Church this and other miracles 
were made use of in order that faith, like a tender plant, 
should take root by that means; but faith, being now 
well planted and grown up. there was no necessity to 
have recourse to prodigies for its advancement. 

The heretics answered : "We do not mean that; what 
we say is that if we see you partaking of this poisoned 
food without doing you any harm, then we will believe 
what you preach as articles of faith, according to what 
the Roman Catholic Church teaches." 

The hoi}' man, being anxious to gain those souls to 
Jesus Christ, blessed the food with the sign of the cross, 
and, taking it in his hands, said to them : "I will eat of 
this food, not to tem;>t God, but purely for the honor of 
the gospel and for the zeal of your eternal salvation.." 



So LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

At once, helped by the grace of God, he partook of it. 
They hoped to get rid of him, because they considered 
him the greatest enemy they ever had ; but when they 
knew that the poison had done him no harm, they re- 
pented of their sacrilegious attempt, confessed to the 
glory of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and to its 
truth, which before they denied with obstinacy. 

On another occasion a similar incident happened. 
Some heretics, not yet sufficiently persuaded by the 
teachings of the saint, wished to try the evangelical 
truths by inviting him to dinner, during which they had 
designed to put him to ridicule. The saint, who burned 
with thirst for the salvation of those miserable creatures, 
did not refuse to go, considering that it would give him 
an opportunity to draw them out of the darkness of 
error. Meanwhile the wretches prepared a large toad, 
and, after it was cooked and well dressed, brought it to 
the table. They told the saint to eat of it, and that he 
was to do so by the text of St. Paul : "If any of the 
infidels invite you, and you be willing to go ; eat of any- 
thing that is set before you, asking no question, for 
conscience sake." 

At this rash pretension the saint did not lose courage, 
neither did he resent it ; but, full of confidence in God, 
who would know how to confound the perfidy of his 
enemies and triumph over the obstinacy of their hearts, 
raised his eyes to heaven, and, having made the sign of 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 8l 

the cross upon the revolting food, he changed it in an 
instant into an appetizing fowl. The guests were amazed 
at the sight of such a wonderful miracle. For this reason 
they entered into themselves, and, full of compunction, 
detested their errors, and were converted to the faith of 
Jesus Christ. Afterward all those who were at the table 
with Anthony partook of the wonderful food. 

How true is that sentence of our Lord when He told 
His disciples to go all through the world baptizing in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy 
Ghost, promising them that He would be always with 
them, and defend them against their enemies. This 
promise of Jesus was verified in St. Anthony in his 
apostolic career. The saint, though surrounded by 
powerful enemies, did not become discouraged; ever re- 
lying on the promises of his Divine Master, he despised 
dangers. He burned with zeal for the propagation of 
the faith and the extirpation of heresies, and many times 
courageously exposed his very life for love of Jesus, as 
we have seen. 





CHAPTER XIV. 

ST. ANTHONY GOES TO FRIULI HE FOUNDS MANY CONVENTS — 

RAISES A YOUNG MAN TO LIFE — HE PREACHES IN PADUA — HE 
REPROACHES EZZELINO, THE TYRANT. 

WHILE St. Anthony resided in Rimini he taught 
theology. The cell which the saint occupied 
has been kept, and is held in great veneration by the in- 
habitants. It was transferred to the Church of St. 
Francis, and was placed on the gospel side. The fol- 
lowing words are written on it: "The cell which St. 
Anthony occupied, the same crucifix which he adored, 
the bricks which he kissed, and a few other articles neces- 
sary for a religious." 

Anthony's stay in Rimini was short, since his apostolic 
ministry required that he should announce the divine 
Word elsewhere, and as minister-provincial he had at 
heart the fulfilment of his office, which was to visit his 
religious scattered here and there through the large 
province of Emilia. It is said that from Rimini he went 
to Friuli, and from thence to Gorizia, where he won the 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. S3 

admiration and love of the people by the fervor of his 
sermons and his exemplary life. There is a tradition 
that a place was given to him by them in which he 
founded a convent and a chinch, which he dedicated to 
St. Catherine, virgin and martyr. On the side of the 
altar, says a biographer of the saint, there was a little 
cell which had a small window that looked toward the 
image of the holy protectress and the tabernacle of the 
most Blessed Sacrament ; here Anthony, after he had 
discharged his daily duties, used to remain in devout 
contemplation, staying there most of the night. 

From Gorizia the saint went to Udine, capital of 
Friuli, and the see of the Patriarch of Aquileja. Be- 
yond Udine, at the distance of about twenty-five miles, 
is Gemona, a remarkable place, where St. Anthony 
founded a convent. He erected there a church which 
was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. 

While the Convent of Gemona was being built God 
manifested to the people the singular merits of our 
miracle worker through an extraordinary, event that 
ought to terrify those hard-hearted men who ridicule the 
servants of God. Anthony needed something to carry 
materials for the building of the edifice, and, meeting a 
farmer, the saint begged him, for the love of God, to 
lend him his cart. The man answered that he could not 
help him, because he had in the cart the corpse of a 
young man ; in reality, he was not dead, only asleep, or 



84 LIFE OP' ST. ANTHONY. 

feigning sleep. The saint humbly departed. When he 
was at some distance the farmer, laughing, approached 
the cart to awake the young man ; he began to shake 
him, but he did not stir; he called him, but there was no 
answer, because he was not asleep, but dead. 

The frightened farmer left the cart and the oxen, and 
ran after the holy man. Weeping bitterly, he threw 
himself at his feet, confessed his error, and begged the 
saint to intercede to God for the life of that unhappy 
young man. Anthony, moved to compassion at the 
humble request of the farmer, approached the cart, made 
the sign of the cross on the dead body, and had recourse 
to God with great confidence ; then, taking the young 
man by the hands, he raised him up, recalling him to 
life in the name of Jesus Christ. As soon as the saint 
had pronounced the words the young man came to life. 
We can easily understand what a great devotion this 
miracle must have excited in the heart of the farmer and 
in all the inhabitants of Gemona, who afterward wil- 
lingly helped the saint to build the convent and church. 

From Gemona he went to Conegliana, a town border- 
ing on Friuli. Here St. Anthony preached with great 
fruits, and the people gave him a place outside of the 
town to build a convent. 

From there he went to Venice, and being informed that 
there was a small island, called St. Francis of the Desert, 
on account of the holy patriarch having been there, he 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. b$ 

wished to visit it. He saw that it was a place well fitted 
for contemplation, and he induced a patrician of Venice, 
to whom this island belonged, and who had a great 
esteem for Anthony, to build there a church in honor of 
St. Francis. 

From Venice Anthony went to Padua, where he was 
received with great respect and veneration, because he 
had been there on other occasions to preach the Word of 
God. 

In the year 1228 he again visited Padua, where the 
Friars Minor had already established a small convent, 
near the Church of St. Mary, which was given to them 
in the year 1220, on account of the great esteem which 
the people had for the holy Father St. Francis. Here 
Anthony preached the Lenten sermons with great suc- 
cess, making innumerable conversions and reforming the 
customs. The effectiveness with which he spread the 
Word of God made such an impression on the minds of 
the devout people that they requested him to leave to 
them the sermons which he had delivered during that 
Lent. He consented to satisfy their desire, and wrote 
not only the Lenten sermons of that year, but others also, 
called "De Tempore," which are enumerated among 
his works. 

A memorable event occurred in Verona while 
Anthony was in Padua, in the year 1228. At that 
time there were two famous factions, commonly called 



86 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

Guelphs and Ghibellines. The faction of the Guelphs 
adhered to the Pope and the Roman Church ; that of 
the Ghibellines to the emperor, Frederick II., who was 
against the Pope and the Church. Ezzelino da Romano, 
a powerful man, and a favorite of the emperor, having 
obtained a number of soldiers from the emperor, occupied 
the cities of Treviso, Verona, Vicenza, Brescia and 
Padua, over which he ruled in such a manner as to be 
styled the most cruel tyrant of Italy. He began his 
tyranny in the year 1227, when he was invited by his 
partisans to occupy Verona, and drive away those who 
adhered to the Church. 

This disturber of the public peace and promoter of 
civil dissensions among the rebellious and restless Vero- 
nese, after he had taken possession of the place, killed a 
great many of the Guelphs. About the beginning of 
the year 122S, through fraud and without any just 
motive, he took possession of Castle Fonde, and put in 
chains William, a young boy, nephew of Tisone, Lord 
of Campo St. Pietro, and kept him in prison until he 
was pleased to release him, 

Anthony, horrified by the cruelty with which Ezzelino 
had slaughtered so many innocent people, and, consider- 
ing the ruin with which this monster was threatening 
Italy, decided to go to Verona after he had preached his 
Lenten sermons in Padua. With courage and intre- 
pidity he presented himself to Ezzelino, who was sur- 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. Sj 

rounded by soldiers, and the saint began to reproach 
him for his fierceness, intimating to him the dreadful 
sentence of God which was hanging over him if he did 
not cease his cruelties. 

While Anthony was remonstrating with him the sol- 
diers were waiting, expecting that Ezzelino, according 
to his custom, would order them to kill him on the spot, 
but he did not do so ; for the tyrant, terrified and touched 
by the words of the servant of God, became as meek as 
a lamb. With a rope around his neck he threw him- 
self at the feet of the saint, and humbly confessed his 
faults, to the great astonishment of those present. St. 
Anthony encouraged him with fatherly love to execute 
faithfully what he had promised. He then went away 
without being insulted by the soldiers, who did not dare 
to touch him, since they saw their chief so respectful and 
humiliated. 




CHAPTER XV. 



EZZEL1NO PROMISES AMENDMENT HE DOES NOT PERSEVERE 

ANTHONY REFUSES PRESENTS FROM HIM THE SAINT MAKES 

A CHILD A FEW DAYS OLD SPEAK. 

EZZELINO, the tyrant, moved by the words of St. 
Anthony, promised to reform his life and be more 
humane for the future, but his repentance did not last 
long. The moment the saint departed, he said to his 
soldiers: " Be not astonished at my sudden change. I 
will tell you the truth. While Anthony was reproach- 
ing me I saw in his countenance a divine splendor, and 
I was so terrified that, if I had dared to take vengeance, 
I believe that I would have been suddenly carried ofT by 
the demons and cast into hell." 

This unexpected humiliation of Ezzelino by the just 
reproaches of St. Anthony reminds us of the submission 
of Attila, King of the Huns, called the scourge of God, 
to St. Leo the Great. The barbarian, who was very 
cruel, after he had devastated flourishing provinces and 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. bO, 

destroyed the famous city of Aquileja, marched with 
his army toward Rome to reduce it to ruins. The holy 
pontiff, moved to compassion for the great evils impend- 
ing over Rome and Italy, went to meet him, and spoke 
to him with such energy and eloquence that the tyrant, 
convinced, promised peace to St. Leo, and, with his 
army, went beyond the Danube. Afterward he was 
asked why he obeyed the voice of the Roman pontiff 
with such great humility, and why he had executed that 
which he had been ordered to do. He answered that he 
saw, near St. Leo, another venerable personage, clothed 
in priestly garments, who showed in his countenance 
something divine, and who, with a sword in his hand, 
threatened him with death if he did not obey Leo. That 
Attila told the truth was manifest from his words, his 
actions, the pallor of his fierce face, and the sudden 
humiliation of his proud and haughty spirit. 

Thus Almighty God, who, from the beginning pre- 
scribed limits to the sea, in order that its swelling waves 
should not inundate the earth ; He who humbles sin- 
ners, at the voice of His ministers humbled the haughti- 
ness and fierceness of Attila and Ezzelino, making them 
understand how great is human weakness, and that man 
must, whether he wishes it or not, bow before the 
Divine Majesty of God, whom no one can oppose. 

As it happens that many sinners, terrified for the mo- 
ment by the grave danger in which they maybe, promise 



90 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

God to abandon their vices and amend their lives, but 
soon return to their former habits, so the resolution of 
Ezzelino to amend his life did not last long ; for the fear 
which he had experienced at the words of St. Anthony 
having vanished, and ashamed of the submission which 
he had shown, he soon returned to his former cruelty. 
He began to doubt the rectitude and honesty of the saint, 
and he resolved to try him in a cunning manner. He 
sent him a present of great value through his attendants, 
commanding them to present it to him with great humil- 
ity and submission, but with this condition : that if he 
accepted it, to kill him immediately ; if he did not ac- 
cept it, or rejected it with contempt, to leave him alone 
and not use violence. They went at once to where 
Anthony was, and, having saluted him with reverence, 
said: "Father, your son, Ezzelino da Romano, begs 
you to accept this gift which he sends you as a mark of 
the esteem he has for you, and asks you to pray to the 
Lord for him." 

Anthony, moved by a holy anger, rejected the gift and 
reproached them, protesting that he did not wish to 
receive anything which came by unjust gains and 
rapines, and ordered them to leave the house at once, 
so that it might not be contaminated by their presence. 
These malicious men, confused and terrified, returned 
to Ezzelino, who, when he heard what had happened, 
said : " Truly, he is a man of God ; leave him in peace, 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 9 1 

and let him sav what he wishes." Ezzelino knew well 
that the saint did not cease to denounce his cruelty, and 
for this reason some say he induced himself to try the 
saint's virtue by means of gifts. 

From this we can clearly sec that the disinterestedness 
of the ministers of God not only makes them free and 
gives them authority to persuade, but also obtains for 
them the veneration even of those who are predominated 
by the desire to accumulate riches, as the tyrant Ezze- 
lino was. 

The zeal of Anthony for the conversion of sinners was 
so great- that he could not rest, but went here and there 
throughout Italy. About this time our saint went to 
Ferrara, where a wonderful event took place. A young 
man of noble birth, of one of the most illustrious (ami- 
lies of Ferrara, had married a noble lady of equal rank. 
Although she w r as modest, wise, prudent, and adorned 
with Christian virtues, nevertheless she had the misfor- 
tune to have a husband who was jealous and doubted 
her fidelity. We can well imagine the great affliction 
which oppressed and troubled the heart of that woman, 
who knew well her own innocence. In the meanwhile 
she gave birth to a beautiful child, and she thought this 
would be the means of inducing the father to give up 
his ill-founded suspicions ; but all in vain, for his jeal- 
ousy increased so much that he refused to recognize the 
child as his, and resolved to do away secretly with the 



92 LlFF OF ST. ANTHONY. 

mother and child ; but as the Lord, who does not aban- 
don those who confide in Him, liberated Susanna from 
infamy and death by means of the holy prophet Daniel, 
so likewise He saved the innocent woman by means of 
St. Anthony. She had recourse to him, and made known 
the jealousy of her husband and the danger of herself 
and her beloved child. 

The saint prayed to God that He might deign to pro- 
tect her innocence and defend her from the wickedness 
of her husband. The most merciful Lord heard the 
prayers of Anthony. One day, while the saint was talk- 
ing with some persons, among whom was the husband 
of the unhappy woman, it happened that the nurse, who 
was carrying the child, passed by. As soon as Anthony 
saw her he took from her the child ; then, after he had 
caressed it, he said : "My dear child, in virtue of Jesus 
Christ, true God and true man, born of the Virgin Mary, 
tell me, so that all may hear you, who is your father?" 
At this command the child, born only a few days before, 
fixed his eyes on the face of his father, and, in a clear 
and distinct voice, as if he were ten years old, answered : 
"Behold, this is my father." Then the saint, turning to 
the father, said : "Take him, this is your child; now 
you cannot doubt any longer. Be sure, therefore, of the 
purity and fidelity of your wife, and love her as every 
husband should love his wife." 

No one can express the joy and the amazement of 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 



93 



those present, and especially the father, who, taking 
his child, embraced him tenderly and kissed him with 
fatherly affection. Every suspicion and jealousy had 
vanished from his mind, and from that day he loved his 
faithful wife with true conjugal love. 




CHAPTER XVI. 



ST. ANTHONY PREACHES IN FLORENCE IN PREACHING HE RE- 
VEALS THE DAMNATION OF AN AVARICIOUS MAN RESTORES 

TO HEALTH A WOMAN ILL-TREATED BY HER HUSBAND. 

PREACHES IN CREMONA ADMITS SEVEN YOUNG MEN INTO 

THE ORDER — GOES TO MILAN. 

TUSCANY, as the biographers of St. Anthony re- 
late, had also an opportunity to admire his apos- 
tolic zeal and witness the miracles he performed. This 
was in the year 1229. In the year 1228 the general of 
the Friars Minor sent him to Florence to preach during 
Advent, and also the Lenten sermons of the following 
year. 

While the holy man was in this city a rich and ava- 
ricious man died, whose funeral was to be observed in 
a solemn manner. The saint was requested to preach 
the funeral oration. He accepted the invitation ; by a 
divine revelation he knew the most unhappy lot which 
had befallen that soul, and he took for his text those 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 95 

words of our Lord Jesus Christ: "For where thy 
treasure is, there is thy heart also." In the progress of 
his sermon he spoke of the dreadful sentence pro- 
nounced by the Divine Master on the richman, apply- 
ing it to the deceased: "This rich man is dead, and 
is buried in hell." 

Anthony made known to all that the body should not 
be buried in a sacred place, but outside the walls of 
the city, since his soul was condemned to hell on ac- 
count of his avarice and his cruelty toward the poor ; 
he added that the heart of that miserable man was no 
longer in his body, but was with the treasure which was 
his idol during life. The people were moved by these 
words, and talked among themselves, but Anthony said 
that if they wished to know the truth to go and find out 
for themselves. They immediately went to the house 
of the dead man, and when they opened the safe they 
found, among great sums of money in gold and silver, 
his heart, yet warm. The breast of the deceased was 
opened, and was found to be without a heart, as the 
saint had predicted. 

Such an extraordinary event filled the whole city with 
astonishment ; the people revered the just judgments 
of God, and became more attached to the saint. The 
body of the avaricious man was not placed in the 
mausoleum which he had had built for himself, but 
was buried outside of the city. 



96 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

In the saint's life is related the fact of a soldier, noble 
and powerful, but so irritable that he became enraged 
at the least offence, and at times was so furious that he 
did not know what he was doing or saying. One day 
his wife, a good and true woman, did not answer him 
in a proper way, and he became angry immediately, as 
usual ; in his fury he struck her, kicked her, dragged 
her through the house, pulled out her hair, and threw 
her down into the yard, where she fell, more dead 
than alive. The whole family ran quickly to the 
place ; the servants, full of grief, picked her up, and 
carried her into the house. The husband, coming to 
himself, repented of his cruel deed, and went to the 
saint, who fortunately was at that time there, humbly 
requesting him to visit his dying wife. Anthony went 
immediately with him to his house, and having entered 
the room where the woman was, laid his hands over 
her, and knelt down, praying to the Lord to preserve 
her life and restore her health. And behold, although 
her limbs were broken and she seemed already dead, 
she got up while the saint was praying, perfectly re- 
stored to health. 

Having accomplished his mission in Tuscany An- 
thony returned to his province, not only to watch over 
his subjects, whose minister-provincial he was, but also 
to carry the divine Word to other places. The cele- 
brated city of Cremona was among the number, and 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 97 

here he won the love of the people by his preaching, 
and they became so attached to him that they wished to 
show him a mark of their gratitude and devotion. 

In the year 1220 the Seraphic Father St. Francis 
passed through that city on his return from the East, 
and after staying there for a few days, he obtained from 
the people a place near St. William, where he built a 
convent for his friars. When St. Anthony was there 
the same people resolved to give another place to the 
Friars Minor, not far from the former one. While there 
he received into the -order seven young men of Cremona, 
in whom he discovered true vocations. 

Near the walls of this city is a well, blessed by the 
two holy patriarchs, Dominic and Francis, and there is 
another one which St. Anthony blessed before he 
departed from the city, and which is now seen in a 
garden, outside of the cloister of the Convent of St. 
Francis. Those who drink of the water of this well 
experience great benefit. 

From Cremona Anthony went to Milan. This famous 
city was infested by the heretics, and this roused the 
apostolic zeal of St. Anthony, who attacked them on 
every side by the force of his arguments and triumphed 
ovei many of them, who detested their false doctrines 
and were easily converted to the Catholic faith. It is 
very probable that this was about the year 1229, because 
Anthony's office as minister-provincial of Emilia, or 



90 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

Lombardy, obliged him to make a canonical visita- 
tion to the convents under his jurisdiction, among 
which was the convent of the Friars Minor in Milan. 
On this occasion the saint went to Vercelli to pay a visit 
to his former teacher, Thomas, in the Abbey of St. 
Andrew. Returning to Vercelli he passed through 
Varese, and there a place was given to him to build a 
convent, which was erected immediately. Here he 
blessed the waters of a well, which yet exists in the 
convent of the Franciscan fathers, giving to them the 
virtue of healing the sick. 

In this same year (1229) he went to Marca Trevig- 
iana, where he had occasion to preach. Ezzelino, as a 
disturber of the public peace, obtained from the people 
of Trevigiana the right to be declared a fellow-citizen. 
Afterward he advised and induced them to take away 
the lands of the Bishop of Feltre and Belluno, which, 
he said, belonged to the municipality of Treviso from 
time immemorial. The people of Treviso prepared 
their army, and, under the leadership of Ezzelino, went 
to take possession of those lands. The citizens of 
Padua protested at this unexpected uprising, and said 
that the lands of the Bishop of Feltre and Belluno be- 
longed to the municipality of Padua, and that they 
should not take them ; but all in vain, for they even 
advanced to take possession of both cities, Feltre and 
Belluno, saying that they would never restore them 



LIFE OP ST. ANTHONY. 



99 



while the walls of the eity of Treviso were standing. 
The Padnans took up" arms, and with a powerful army 
invaded the territory of Treviso, sacked it, finally con- 
quering. Through the mediation of Monsignor Gualla, 
legate apostolic, then Bishop of Brescia, the rulers of 
Lombardy restored everything to the Bishop of Feltre 
and Belhmo, and to the Paduans. 

After this war, which began in 132S, Marca Trevig- 
iana enjoyed peace for about a year, till the end of 
1229; in the following year Anthony arrived. He 
preached to the people of Trevigiana the Word of God, 
exhorting them to practise charity and brotherly love. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



ANTHONY GOES TO THE GENERAL CHAPTER SINGULAR ESTEEM 

OF GREGORY IX. TOWARD THE SAINT HE GOES TO ALVERNIA. 

HIS OCCUPATION IN ALVERNIA. 

IN the year 1230 took place the solemn transfer of the 
remains of the holy Patriarch Francis from the 
Church of St. George to the magnificent new church 
dedicated in his name. On this occasion the General 
Chapter was to be held, to treat of the most important 
affairs of the order, and also to elect the new minister- 
general. More than two thousand friars came to Assisi 
to witness the celebration and to assist at the chapter ; 
also a great multitude of people of every state and con- 
dition came to assist at the solemn transfer of the sacred 
remains of St. Francis. The city could not afford 
accommodation for them all, and they were obliged to 
sleep under tents in the open fields. Among the relig- 
ious of the order was St. Anthony, then minister- 
provincial of Emilia. 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. IOI 

The body of St. Francis having been transferred, the 
fathers of the chapter assembled, and conferences were 
held concerning the Seraphic Rule. Some differences 
came up on this point, and St. Anthony and Adam de 
Marisco, who had studied with the saint at Vercelli, had 
recourse to the supreme pontiff, Gregory IX., by whom 
the question was . to be settled. The Pope called 
Brother Elias to Rome, who was minister-general, with 
all the fathers of the chapter, and having heard the 
reasons on both sides, he thought it expedient to depose 
Brother Elias from the generalship and put another 
in his place. Brother John Parenti of Tuscany, a 
man celebrated for his learning and holiness, then 
minister-provincial of Spain, was elected. The 
Pope confirmed the election, and thanked Anthony and 
Adam de Marisco, praising their zeal in trying to pre- 
serve the spirit of the seraphic law-giver, St. Francis of 
Assisi. 

On this occasion the supreme pontiff exhorted St. 
Anthony to continue his apostolic ministry for the sal- 
vation of souls, and in order that he might succeed 
more effectually, dispensed him from every office, in- 
cluding that of minister-provincial, as he himself had 
requested. 

Gregory IX. had so great an esteem for St. Anthony, 
on account of his wisdom, holiness, and his wonderful 
miracles, that he desired to keep him in Rome with 



102 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

himself, saying that with his assistance and wise coun- 
sels he would be very useful ; but Anthony humbly ex- 
cused himself, as it was contrary to his inclination for 
solitude. The Holy Father, to please him, thought it 
proper to leave him free, exhorting him to finish writing 
his Lenten sermons and those on the festivals of the 
year. Anthony promised to do what the holy pontiff 
requested him, and having received his apostolic bene- 
diction, went to the solitude of Mount Alvernia. 

This is a mountain in Tuscany, situated on the 
boundaries of the Papal States, about ten miles to the 
north from Borgo St. Sepolcro ; it is a part of the Ap- 
ennines, a common name given to a chain of mountains 
which begins at Genoa, and which divides Italy, reach- 
ing as far as Abruzzo. Mount Alvernia rises above the 
other mountains in a quadrangular shape, in the middle 
of which there are twelve hills, and it is covered with 
trees on every side. At the foot there are two rivers — 
the Arno and the Tiber. On the top are beautiful 
meadows shaded by beech trees of great magnitude and 
height ; the herb called carline is found here, which is 
a good remedy against pestilence. There is a tradition 
that it was shown to Charlemagne by an angel as a cure 
for a pestilence by which his soldiers were infected. 

This mountain was held in high estimation by St. 
Fiancis for its solitude; great splits are seen in the 
rocks, and it was revealed to St. Francis by an angel 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 



I0 3 



that they were formed when, at the death of Jesus 
Christ, the earth trembled and the rocks were split. 

It was on this mountain that the Seraphic Father, 
while tenderly meditating on the sufferings of his be- 
loved Redeemer, was favored by that wonderful vision, 
in which the same Jes A us crucified appeared to him, in 
the figure of a seraph, and deigned to impress His 
sacred wounds on his hands, feet, and side. This moun- 
tain, therefore, is held in great veneration by the su- 
preme pontiffs, bishops, princes, other illustrious per- 
sons, and by all the faithful. Gregorv IX., Alexander 
IV., and other popes enriched it with many indulgences 
in honor of the stigmata of St. Francis. After St. 
Francis had received the impression of the wounds the 
Lord showered copious blessings on this mountain ; 
many religious flourished in sanctity in the convent of 
Alvernia, where the strict observance of the rule is 
scrupulously kept by the religious, and the faithful, who 
continually visit that sacred place, obtain there both 
spiritual and temporal favors from the divine bounty. 

If Mount Alvernia, so well fitted for the contempla- 
tion of celestial things, had for St. Francis such a strong 
attraction that he went there from time to time to retire 
in that blessed solitude, building there a convent for his 
religious, and contributing much to their sanctification, 
it is not to be wondered at, therefore, that St. Anthony, 
a most worthy son of the Seraphic Father, and most 



104 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

faithful imitator of his virtues, should desire to retire 
there also. 

When Anthony arrived at Alvernia the cell which had 
been inhabited by St. Francis was assigned to him, but 
his great humility did not permit him to accept a cell of 
which he considered himself unworthy, and he only 
desired that they would give him one next to it, in which 
he would have an opportunity to enjoy, in the silence 
of that retreat, the most sweet fruits of the secret com- 
munications which he had with God in prayer, and as 
a true, humble servant, who judged himself yet a be- 
ginner in the way of religious perfection, he exercised 
with great fervor all the virtues necessary to attain it. 

He spent his spare time in composing his Lenten ser- 
mons and those on the festivals of the year, as he had 
promised Gregory IX. After he had stayed there for a 
few months he perceived that the inclemency of the 
weather was hurtful to his delicate constitution, and, 
moved by a divine inspiration, he obtained permission 
from the minister-general to go to Padua, where he had 
preached before with great success. This city was be- 
loved by him not only for the kindness which the 
inhabitants had shown him, but also for the docility he 
had perceived in them in obeying his apostolic exhorta- 
tions ; hence, as a sensible farmer uses his tools with 
greater diligence on fertile ground, he sowed the divine 
Word among them and helped them in their spiritual 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 



I0 5 



necessities in different ways suggested by his boundless 
charity. This is why our Lord guided the footsteps of 
our saint to the place of his rest, and He so disposed 
everything as to sanctify that fortunate city of Padua 
with his apostolic mission, and enriched her with the 
treasure of his sacred remains, thus rendering her cele- 
brated throughout the universe. 




CHAPTER XVIII. 

HE IS MIRACULOUSLY TRANSFERRED FROM PADUA TO LISBON. 

RESTORED FROM LISBON TO PADUA THE SAINT DEFENDS 

HIS FATHER IN PADUA HE PREACHES THE LAST LENTEN 

SERMONS. 

THE saint returned to Padua in the year 1230, and he 
at once applied himself to finishing the Sunday ser- 
mons and also the sermons about the saints, at the 
request of Cardinal Rainald, Bishop of Ostia and pro- 
tector of the order, not neglecting to preach from time 
to time during the winter. He never missed an oppor- 
tunity of attending to the spiritual welfare of his neigh- 
bor and the conversion of sinners. During this time 
also he taught theology to his confreres (1 230-1 231). 

The biographers of Anthony relate that while he was 
living in Padua he miraculously helped his father in 
Lisbon, who was in danger of being condemned to 
death. Two noble citizens of Lisbon had a great enmity 
toward each other, one of whom lived in a house ad- 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. IO7 

joining that of Martin de Bouillon, father of Anthony. 
One of these men met the son of his rival one evenirg, 
and resolved to take revenge on the young man for the 
hatred he harbored against his father. Pie took ad- 
vantage of the darkness of the night, and, unawares, 
struck him cruelly, killing him. In order that the hor- 
rible crime might not be discovered he caused the body 
to be brought into the garden of De Bouillon, \vh2re he 
dug a grave and buried it. 

When the father of the murdered young man saw that 
his son did not return he suspected something wrong, 
and therefore had recourse to the chief magistrate of the 
city, who ordered that a diligent search should be made. 
When he heard that the young man had passed through 
the street where his father's enemy, lived he visited 
the garden and the house of the enemy, and exam- 
ined everything diligently, finding nothing. Then he 
went into the house of De Bouillon, in whose garden 
the body of the young man was found. This was suffi- 
cient for the judge to be convinced that the murderer 
was the owner of the garden, and therefore he was ar- 
rested, with his family. 

God, through His mercy, wished to defend the inno- 
cent man, and He revealed to Anthony the extreme dis- 
tress of his father, ordering him at once to go and help 
to free him from prison and death. The servant of 
God, toward evening, asked permission from his supe- 



IOS LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

rior to go out of the monastery, which was granted to 
him. He was carried by an angel, as Habacuc was 
carried to Babylon to help Daniel in the lions' den ; he 
found himself miraculously in Lisbon on the same even- 
ing. This city, as every one knows, is about 1500 
miles distant from Padua. The following morning he 
went to the judge and requested him to let his father 
and family go free, because they had no part in that hor- 
rible crime ; but the judge refused obstinately to let them 
go, because he considered them guilty. The saint asked 
that the body of the young man be brought into his 
presence, which was done, and he ordered him to return 
to life and tell if, in reality, Martin de Bouillon or any 
other member of his family had killed him. The young 
man arose and said that neither De Bouillon nor any 
of his family was guilty of the crime ; then afterward, 
without making known the guilty one, he returned to 
his former state. 

Such an authentic testimony induced the judge to 
immediately release the innocent ones, and thus the 
honor of Anthony's father and family was vindicated. 
The saint remained with his father that day, in order to 
give thanks to God for what He had done. In the 
evening he left Lisbon and was carried to his convent 
in Padua by the angel. 

Michael Pacheco relates that De Bouillon experienced 
the aid of his son on another occasion. To him was 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. IO9 

entrusted the administration of large sums of money for 
various business relating to the service of the king. He 
paid out money to several persons without demanding a 
receipt from them. He was a man of good faith, and 
did not take legal precautions to insure his own interest. 
The time arrived for him to render an account of his 
administration, and therefore he called those persons to 
whom he had given the money, but they barefacedly 
denied that they had received anything from him. The 
efforts he made to make known his faithful conduct did 
not avail him, because he had no receipt by which he 
could justify himself, and therefore he could not expect 
anything else than that the authorities should proceed 
against him and confiscate all his goods. In fact, he 
was called to trial, with those to whom he had given 
the money, and, oppressed by their calumnies, he did 
not know what to answer, when, behold, Anthony, by 
divine power, was transferred from Italy to Lisbon and 
appeared in the assembly ! With a threatening look he 
turned toward the calumniators and ordered them, with- 
out delay, to give the receipt of the money received 
from his father in such a place, on such a day, at such 
an hour, otherwise the divine justice would at once 
punish them severely for their felony. They were ter- 
rified, and confessed their imposture, making out the 
receipt immediately. St. Anthony disappeared, leaving 
his father happy and contented. 



IIO LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

While Anthony was occupied in writing his sermons 
and in other exercises of piety the Lent of the year 
1 23 1 arrived, and, putting aside every other occupation, 
he did all he could to satisfy the Paduans, who desired 
to hear the Word of God preached by him. He preached 
for forty continuous days, to the great admiration of all, 
and they saw that the saint, notwithstanding his delicate 
health, made great efforts, in his indefatigable zeal, to 
instruct the ignorant, to hear confessions, and to gain 
souls for Jesus Christ ; frequently he fasted till sunset. 

The devil, displeased at the good which Anthony was 
doing, tried to terrify him by nightly illusions, io divert 
him from his undertaking. He himself related to a re- 
ligious that in the beginning of Lent, while he was 
lying down to take some rest, the evil spirit dared to 
assail him, and took hold of him by the throat in such 
a manner that he would have suffocated him had not 
God interfered. Anthony at once invoked the name 
of Mary, made the sign of the cross, and recited, with 
faith and confidence, the hymn, " O Gloriosa Domina." 
The evil one left him immediately, and the saint saw 
his cell resplendent with divine light, as the Blessed 
Virgin Mary came in person to defend him because he 
had invoked her with faith. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



ST. ANTHONY CONTINUES HIS LENTEN SERMONS WONDERFUL 

CONCOURSE OF PEOPLE TO HEAR HIM SINGULAR DEVOTION 

OF THE PEOPLE TOWARD HIM WITH THE SIGN OF THE 

CROSS HE CURES A LITTLE GIRL HE BLESSES A CHILD AND 

RESTORES HIM TO HEALTH EFFICACY OF HIS SERMONS. 

THE violence of the devil did not intimidate 
Anthony, nor did it lessen his courage for a 
moment, but in his apostolic zeal he continued his Lenten 
sermons. He preached here and there to accommodate 
the people, and they came in such numbers to hear him 
that often it was necessary to place guards at the doors 
of the churches. As there was no building in Padua 
that could hold the immense crowds of people who came 
from other cities and villages to hear him, it was neces- 
sary for the saint to preach outside of Padua, in the 
open air. 

It was something admirable to see not only common 
people go to the place where he was preaching, but 
noble ladies and gentlemen, with lanterns in their hands, 



112 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

in order to find their places, waiting patiently for the 
hour of the sermon. The Bishop of Padua, also, with 
his clergy, came to hear the saint, and this was a source 
of great edification to the bishop's flock. 

When the man of God ascended the pulpit the j:>eople 
were so eager to hear his words that, although the num- 
ber of hearers often exceeded thirty thousand, not a 
whisper was heard, not a murmur, but a profound 
silence was observed. All were quiet and attentive, 
with their eyes fixed on the saint, and they had extraor- 
dinary devotion, as if it were not a man who was 
preaching to them, but an angel from heaven. We can- 
not doubt that notwithstanding the great number of 
hearers, he was heard and understood by every one per- 
fectly ; for Anthony, besides being gifted with a clear 
and penetrating voice, was endowed by God with such 
a grace, power, and force, that his words were heard 
not only by those who were near, but also by those at a 
distance. 

While he was preaching every business was stopped ; 
court houses, the stores of merchants, artisans, and ven- 
dors were closed, and they were not opened until the 
sermon was over, because all desired ardently to hear 
the holy preacher. So great was the multitude of people 
that gathered around him, when he descended from the 
pulpit, to touch him, that sometimes they were in danger 
of injuring themselves and the saint ; for this reason. 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 113 

therefore, he was assisted by strong men, without whose 
aid he would not be able to return to the monastery. 

One day, when Anthony was returning from preach- 
ing, he met a man named Peter, with his little daugh- 
ter, four years old, called Paduana. The poor child 
was afflicted with epileptic fits, and was deformed in 
both feet; hence, deprived of the use of them, some- 
times she made use of her hands to walk, and sometimes 
she crawled. The afflicted father eagerly prayed to the 
saint to make the sign of the cross over the little girl. 
Anthony, knowing his lively faith, blessed the child with 
the sign of the cross from the head to the feet, and 
instantly she was perfectly healed. 

iV similar event occurred in a city of Lombard v, 
01 Emilia. After the saint had finished his sermon he 
was returning to the monastery, through a lonely road, 
in order to evade the applause of the people, when a 
woman came to meet him with a child in her arms ; the 
feet of the child were contracted, and the mother had 
a firm hope that he would be healed by receiving the 
blessing of the saint. Anthony, as soon as he saw her, 
wanted to avoid her by turning his footsteps elsewhere ; 
but she suppliantly insisted that he should bless the 
child with the sign of the cross. Anthony, through his 
great modesty and humility, was unwilling to do so ; 
then the woman cried and entreated him, saying : "Ah, 
Father Anthony, have pity on me." The saint was 



114 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

moved by the requests of his companion, Brother Luke, 
by the tears of the afflicted mother, and the pitiful state 
of the poor child, and no longer resisted ; he therefore 
made the sign of the cross upon the child and blessed 
him, and he was immediately healed. 

Anthony attributed this miracle to the faith of the 
woman ; he gave thanks to God, and told her that while 
he was alive not to make known to any one what had 
happened to her child. 

It is not easy to describe how copious were the fruits 
reaped by our evangelical worker. As a light shines 
more brightly when it is nearly extinguished, or as a 
stone has more velocity in its motion when it approaches 
the centre of gravity, so Anthony, as he was drawing 
near his blessed end, succeeded more admirably in his 
works, and was more efficacious in his preaching and 
in inducing obstinate sinners to repent by the force of 
his words. He eliminated the most implacable hatred 
and enmity, he induced usurers to make restitution of 
ill-gotten goods, worldly women were converted to 
penance, thieves and assassins ceased their robberies 
and rapines, debts were paid, and prisoners were set 
free. It seemed that his voice was issuing from a burn- 
ing furnace, for by his preaching he enkindled the hearts 
of his hearers and excited them to devotion, to com- 
punction, and to detest their sins ; tears were shed, sighs 
and groans were heard, and many were seen striking 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. II5 

their breasts, and they exhorted one another to confess 
their sins, do penance, and amend their lives. Padua, 
in a word, seemed a new Ninive converted to God by the 
saint. Then it was that a great multitude of men was 
seen in a procession with scourges in their hands, 
striking their bare shoulders, and begging mercy from 
God by devout prayers j this pious and praiseworthy 
custom was introduced by our saint. 

The number of persons of both sexes who were 
moved and penetrated by the words of the saint was so 
great that they came in great crowds to the tribunal of 
penance, and sometimes the priests of Padua were not 
sufficient to hear their confessions ; many asserted that 
they had been commanded by God, in dreams, to go to 
Anthony, and to comply with what he enjoined, so pleased 
was our Lord to render His faithful servant worthy of 
admiration by the prodigies He deigned to work bj 
means of the saint. We read that St. Nicholas, Bishop 
of Myra, while yet living, appeared to Constantine, the 
emperor, and with threats commanded him to set free 
three innocent tribunes who were imprisoned ; thus St. 
Anthony miraculously appeared to those who were 
bound in the chains of sin, and suggested to them the 
means whereby they could be loosened and obtain the 
liberty of true children of God. In fact, many attest 
that the saint used to appear to sinners while they 
were asleep, and made known to them the names of 



Il6 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

the priests to whom he wished them to confess their 
faults. 

Many others affirm that the saint appeared to them, 
woke them up, called them by name, and exhorted 
them to confess such and such a sin, although secret, 
committed at such and such a place ; they arose imme- 
diately, surprised, not understanding how he could get 
in, the door of the room being locked ; but what sur- 
prised them more was that Anthony told to them the 
sins that no one could know, except God, who knows 
everything, and therefore they immediately went to 
confess them. 

On one occasion a man was so moved by the preach- 
ing of the saint, and repented so much of the bad life 
he had led till then, that he went and threw himself at 
the feet of the saint to confess his sins ; but when 
Anthony saw that the penitent could not say a word on 
account of his great grief, he told him to go home and 
write his confession and come again. The penitent 
obeyed, and wrote his sins with all possible exactness, 
returning afterward to the saint. Anthony read the 
confession, and consoled the man greatly by showing 
him the same sheet of paper all blank, no trace of the 
writing being apparent. A miracle of this kind showed 
how sincere was the conversion of that sinner and how 
intense his contrition, since the divine hand was pleased 
to cancel all the sins committed by him. 



CHAPTER XX. 



THE SAINT CONVERTS TWELVE ASSASSINS HE FORETELLS 

GREAT HONORS TO THE CITY OF PADUA — RESOLVES TO GO 

TO CAMPO ST. PIETRO AN ANGEL HIS MESSENGER — HE GOES 

AGAIN TO VERONA — RETURNS TO PADUA. 

ST. ANTHONY, assisted by God, was achieving 
innumerable conversions by his apostolic ministry 
as he was fast approaching his last end. Twelve high- 
way robbers who heard of his wonderful works came 
to hear him, and they experienced in reality what they 
had heard, as what Anthony said made such an impres- 
sion on their hearts that they repented of their wicked- 
ness, and after the sermon they all presented themselves 
to the holy man, to whom they made a sincere general 
confession of their crimes, promising to amend their 
vicious lives. 

Luke Wadding relates that a certain man, advanced 
in age, was returning from Rome in the year 1292, and 
on the road met a Friar Minor, to whom he said that he 
had known St. Anthony of Padua ; that he had had 



I iS LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

eleven companions, and they became highway robbers. 
They heard of the wonderful power of the holy man 
in preaching, and that many times more than twenty 
thousand persons came to hear him ; they also became 
desirous to hear him. They all changed their clothes 
and their aspect, as much as possible, and went to hear 
him. "We heard him uttering burning words, we saw 
his tongue burning like a lamp, we felt that our hearts 
were melting like wax near the .fire ; we began then 
to feel sorry, and experienced as great a contrition for 
our misdeeds as if that celestial preacher were wringing 
our hearts, and each of his words wounded us; thus 
sorrowing and repenting of our faults, we wept, sighed, 
and cast ourselves at the feet of the holy preacher; we 
confessed our sins to him, and we received from him a 
fatherly exhortation. I would explain, but I cannot; 
the great goodness and love which he showed us was 
truly admirable. What beautiful instruction, what 
salutary advice he gave us ! I cannot express how 
earnest and grave he showed himself in promising 
eternal salvation to us if in the future we would do 
good; and he threatened unheard-of punishments in 
this world and in the world to come if we would return 
to our former life of sin. A few of my companions did 
not persevere, but became worse than before, and I 
myself, a short time after, saw them condemned and 
put to death in the most excruciating torments. As the 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 119 

others persevered in doing good, so they finished their 
days in a holy manner, and of the twelve I alone 
remain. Among other penances, the saint enjoined on 
me to visit the Basilica of the Holy Apostles in Rome 
twelve times. The visit from which I am now return- 
ing is the last that remained for the fulfilment of the 
penance imposed on me. I am very happy in the hope 
I have of seeing accomplished in me the promise of the 
holy man, whose advice I have till now tried to put into 
practice, as much as human frailty allowed me." 

The apostolic labors sustained by the saint in the last 
year of his mortal life were not sufficient to satisfy his 
ardent zeal for the salvation of souls ; he wished to 
continue to preach till Pentecost, which was on the 
eleventh of May in that year. 

God had already revealed to him , that his end was 
drawing near, but he judged it expedient not to make 
it known to the friars, as it would sadden them. 
Toward the end of May he gave them a hint of his 
death. Fifteen days before he died, being in a very 
high place, he was contemplating at a distance the city 
of Padua, and, transported by joy, did not cease to 
exalt her, and turning to a religious predicted to him 
that Padua in a short time would be greatly honored, 
but not telling him why. He wished to declare with 
prophetic spirit the glory which that happy city would 
derive from himself after his death. 



120 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

This prediction was verified to the very letter ; for 
since his death to the present day Padua has always 
had the honor to possess the treasure of his sacred 
remains, through which she has become renowned 
throughout the world, and great multitudes of people 
of different nationalities visit the sanctuary where God 
has been pleased to work wonders through the interces- 
sion of His faithful servant. 

The saint, to free himself -from intercourse with 
secular people, determined to retire to a certain solitary 
place called Campo St. Pietro, ten miles from Padua, 
so that he might attend more freely to God, to himself, 
and to compose sermons. According to all appearances 
it was on this occasion that the Lord was pleased to 
show toward him a special and loving mark of His 
benevolence, as it is related by the writers of his life : 
The saint having resolved to go to Campo St. Pietro, 
wrote a letter to his minister-provincial to obtain per- 
mission ; he went to the superior of the monastery and 
requested him to have the kindness to send the letter 
by a trustworthy person, which the superior promised 
to do. Anthony returned to his cell to get the letter, 
which he had left on his desk, but, to his surprise, did 
not see it, and after searching for it diligently could 
not find it ; he was a little confused, and, thinking that 
losing the letter might be a sign by which the Lord wished 
to make him understand that it w T as not His will that 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 121 

he should go to that place of retreat, resigned himself 
to the holy will of God. But, behold, when the time 
required for a messenger to go and come, if he had 
been sent, had elapsed, he found on his d.esk the answer 
of his minister-provincial, who accorded him the 
required permission. In this miraculous occurrence it 
is credible that God had sent an angel, as to Tobias, 
who would serve Anthony as a messenger, to honor his 
great humility, and to assure him of the divine will that 
he should go to Campo St. Pietro. 

God, who sees the uprightness of His friends, is 
pleased to hear their just desires and to console them 
sometimes by way of miracles, as in the case of our 
saint. The Lord is also accustomed to use such kind- 
ness in order to drive from their hearts certain anxieties 
which holy souls experience, even in their lawful actions 
and in their most pure intentions, for fear that some 
imperfections may be mixed with them. 

Anthony, who had desired to go to the retreat of 
Campo St. Pietro, had already abandoned the thought 
of going, because, although his intention was good, 
nevertheless he feared that his self-love had something 
to do with it, under the pretext of greater quietness of 
spirit. The judgment of the saints on this point is very 
delicate, as the greater their humility the less they trust 
themselves in their actions, and they fear danger in 
virtue itself, as the wasp hidden among the flowers. 



122 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

For this reason St. Augustine says: " When we perform 
a good action it is necessary to examine the purpose for 
which we do it." 

Anthony, before going to Campo St. Pietro, was 
charged by the authorities of Padua to go to Verona to 
save Richard, Count of San Bonifacio, a Guelph, who 
had been taken prisoner by his enemies and put in prison 
in Verona with some of his companions. The Paduans 
did all they could to save Richard, but they failed ; 
hence they sent Anthony- The servant of God went 
willingly, and tried to obtain the freedom of the illus- 
trious prisoners through his merits and eloquence ; but all 
his efforts were in vain, since Ezzelino and the rulers of 
Lombardy refused to hear him. The saint saw that his 
words were fruitless, and returned to Padua ; he then 
went to Campo St. Pietro. 




CHAPTER XXI. 

THE SAINT IS RECEIVED BY TISONE, LORD OF CAMPO ST. 
PIETRO— HE RETIRES TO A CELL FORMED IN THE TOP OF A 
WALNUT TREE HIS LAST ILLNESS. 

A NOBLE and devout chevalier, called Tisone of 
Campo St. Pietro, from which his family took the 
surname, Lord of Campo St. Pietro, of Castle Fonde, 
of Campreto and Treville, was moved by the preaching 
of St. Anthony, and, inflamed by a holy desire to lead 
a life more conformable to the maxims of Jesus crucified, 
despised the honors of the world and embraced the Rule 
of the Third Order of Penance, which the Father St. 
Francis had instituted for persons of both sexes living 
in the world. He persevered in this holy state of life 
till his death, which took place in Padua, on the last 
day of January, in the year 1234; his body was buried 
in the Church of St. Peter, by the Benedictine Sisters ; 
over his grave is this simple inscription : " The grave of 
Lord Tisone of Campo St. Pietro." 

At the coming of Anthony, therefore, to Campo St. 
Pietro, Tisone was so pleased that he received him with 



124 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

singular demonstrations of esteem, affection, and devo- 
tion, considering him as an angel sent by God. He 
possessed, at a little distance from the convent of the 
Friars Minor, a grove, where there was a walnut tree 
of great magnitude, from whose trunk extended six 
large branches, forming a sort of crown. The saint, 
who wished to remain as much as possible in a solitary 
place, resolved to build a little cell in this tree, because 
it seemed to him a very fit place for his retreat. Tisone 
heard from the friars the desire of the servant of God, 
and, eager to please him, built with his own hands little 
cells on the branches of the tree, surrounding them with 
mats ; one was for the saint and the other two for his 
companions, Brothers Luke and Rodger. 

This was the last dwelling-place of St. Anthony 
among mortals; here he prayed, meditated, wrote, and 
occupied himself in casting away everything worldly 
which he might have contracted in the discharge of his 
apostolic duties and ministry in France, Italy, in so 
many villages, cities, and provinces, with so much 
applause, accompanied by so many people, and in per- 
forming such wonderful prodigies that he had become 
the terror of heretics and the object of the highest 
admiration ; with tears of compunction and by various 
kinds of penances he purged his spirit from the defects 
(though very light) he might have contracted. 

In this respect he was a perfect imitator of his 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 12^ 

Seraphic Father St. Francis, who, after he had preached 
in various places in Tuscany, in which he had made 
many conversions, returned to St. Mary of Angels, 
where his principal care was to examine if ever, in the 
exercise of his preaching, his soul might have been 
attached to anything worldly by his continual intercourse 
with lay people, and whatever his conscience made 
imperfect in his eyes he purged with the most rigorous 
penance. 

This wise conduct of these two pillars of the church 
is conformable to what St. Gregory the Great taught. 
This holy doctor of the church shows the necessity of 
those who announce to others the divine Word to purify 
themselves of the defects contracted in preaching. It 
is very difficult, he says, to exercise such a ministry 
without falling into some faults, because the preacher 
either is moved by anger if he does not meet the 
approval of his hearers, or a little vain glory if he is 
esteemed and applauded by them. 

The Lord fittingly washed the feet of His holy 
apostles after His preaching, to show that often, even in 
the practice of good works, some little shadow of sin 
may be contracted ; hence the hearts of the preachers 
are a little stained and those of the hearers cleansed, for 
very often it happens that when preachers see that by 
means of their efficacious exhortations those who hear 
them derive the grace of purging themselves from vice 



126 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

they esteem themselves and become vain, so that while 
they try to purify the actions of others they tarnish their 
own. This excellent doctrine should be seriously con- 
sidered by those who, though called to the apostolic 
ministry, have not even acquired the perfection of the 
holy preachers. 

Although St. Anthony, in this retreat, found his 
spiritual delight in conversing secretly with his beloved 
God, and occupied himself in the study of the Old and 
New Testaments, preparing to write useful spiritual 
works for the benefit of Christian people, nevertheless 
he never neglected the common exercises of the com- 
munity, descending promptly from his little cell at the 
appointed hours. 

On the thirteenth of June, being at the table with his 
confreres, he felt his bodily strength failing ; worn out 
by the incessant labors of his apostolic ministry, then 
overtaken by illness, his weakness increased so much 
that he could no longer stand erect. The friars took 
him in their arms, and with great love and care carried 
him to a poor and hard bed made of straw. The saint 
regained a little strength, and, perceiving that he had a 
short time to live, called Brother Rodger to him and 
said : ' ' You, brother, see that on account of my infirmity 
I am a burden to this poor convent ; therefore, if you 
think it proper I will go to the Convent of St. Mary at 
Padua." 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. I 27 

Brother Rodger at once approved the proposal. The 
religious of Campo St. Pietro did not want to permit 
him to depart from their convent, and they did all in 
their power to keep him there ; but when they heard the 
desire of the saint they yielded to his wishes ; neither did 
they dare to oppose his departure. A carriage was at 
once prepared to bring him slowly toward Padua. 
While on the way, being near Padua, a religious named 
Vinoto met him ; he was going to visit Anthony at 
Campo St. Pietro. He saw how very ill he was, and 
persuaded him not to enter Padua, and thus avoid the 
importunities and frequent visits of the people, but to 
stop at the near Monastery of Arcella. This monastery 
belonged to the Nuns of St. Clare, at that time called 
" The poor of the Lord." This monastery was after- 
ward destroyed by the army of Maximillian, in the year 
1520. It was in this place that a saintly penitent of St. 
Anthony died, — Blessed Elena Elzelmina of the same 
order; that is, of St. Clare. In the place of Arcella 
was afterward built an oratory, in which the image of 
St. Anthony dying is seen ; this oratory was kept by a 
hermit of the Third Order .of St. Francis. 

The advice to remain here pleased the saint ; soon 
after reaching the monastery his disease was aggravated 
more and more, and soon he was reduced to the 
extremes. After a short rest he made his confession, 
and having received absolution, began to sing the hymn, 



I 2-S LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

" O Gloriosa Domina," with most affectionate devotion, 
in praise of the holy Mother of God, to whom he 
dedicated himself from his very childhood. Afterward, 
raising his eyes, he held them fixed, as if gazing at 
something, and being asked by a religions what he was 
looking at, he answered : " I see my Lord Jesns Christ." 
The religions, in the meanwhile, perceiving that his last 
hour was fast approaching, immediately administered to 
him the sacrament of Extreme Unction. 





CHAPTER XXII. 



HIS GLORIOUS DEATH — HIS PARTICULAR GIFTS HIS NATURAL 

QUALITIES — THE SAINT APPEARS TO THE ABBOT OF ST. 
ANDREW OF VERCELLI AND HEALS HIM HIS DEATH IS WON- 
DERFULLY PUBLISHED BY CHILDREN. 

THE saint having received the sacrament of Extreme 
Unction, with his hands joined he devoutly recited 
with his confreres the Penitential Psalms ; after about 
half an hour he placidly expired, as though he were 
sleeping, in the arms of his brethren, and his soul, freed 
from the prison of his body, entered the eternal glory of 
heaven, all absorbed in the beatific vision of God. His 
precious death took place on Friday, the thirteenth 
of June, in the year 1231 ; at the time of his death he 
was about thirty-six years of age, fifteen of which he 
had passed in his paternal home, two at the Monastery 
of the Regular Canons of: St. Vincent at Lisbon, nine 
years in the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, 



130 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

and about ten years and a half in the Order of the Friars 
Minor. 

God was pleased to call to Himself His faithful 
servant Anthony, the light of the Christian world, 
the hammer of heretics, the ark of the Testament, 
the admiration of the universe, who, after having 
fought manfully the enemies of the Catholic faith and 
routed the infernal powers by his admirable conversions 
of innumerable sinners ; after having consummated, in 
suffering and labor, his apostolic ministry, faithful to 
God till death in the mortification of himself and in the 
practice of the most heroic virtues, full of merits he 
went to receive from his most loving Jesus the unfading 
crown of glory in heaven. 

Here it will not be out of place to give a brief idea, 
not only of the particular qualities which adorned the 
soul of this great saint, but also of his personal appear- 
ance. With regard to the first we can say of Anthony 
what the patriarch Isaac said of his son Jacob : "And 
immediately as he smelled the fragrant smell of his 
garments, blessing him, he said : ' Behold, the smell of 
my son is as the smell of a plentiful field, which 
the Lord hath blessed.' " (Genesis 27:27). Thus the 
divine grace poured out over Anthony His celestial 
blessings in a copious manner, and he was noted for his 
virtues, — a rare humility, original purity, strict poverty, 
and a fervent charity. To tlusc singular virtues was 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 131 

united a profound learning and a most persuasive elo- 
quence, which captured the hearts of men. He was a 
religious full of honesty, affable with all, charitable and 
humane in conversation; discretion, which is the mother 
of all virtues, and without which virtues would become 
vices, was noted in his prenching, in giving advice, 
and in administering the sacrament of Penance, and 
there was nothing in his words or actions that was not 
seasoned by the salt of this virtue. He was solicitous 
for the salvation of his neighbor, without distinction of 
persons, and did everything he could to draw them out 
of the abyss of sin ; he never refused to give aid to any 
one when it was in his power to do so ; therefore the 
eulogy pronounced on Moses was verified in Anthony : 
"Moses was beloved of God, and men : whose memory 
is in benediction" (Ecclesiasticus 45 : 1 ) . 

In regard to his natural qualities^ according to the 
historians quoted by Papebrochio, and also from the 
likeness taken immediately after his death, which is 
kept in the church in Padua dedicated to him, he was 
naturally of a brown color, rather small in size and 
stout ; he had a pleasing countenance and was somewhat 
youthful-looking, but at the same time grave and 
majestic. He had bright eyes, a prominent nose, and 
ruby lips. In his countenance was seen something 
extraordinary and devotional, and all who saw him, 
though he was unknown to them, judged him a saint. 



I32 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

His flesh, from its natural color, the great austerity of 
his life, and his weak constitution, was rather brown 
and rough ; but immediately after his death it became 
as white as snow 7 and as smooth as that of a child, and 
those who looked at him felt no repugnance, as is 
usually the case ; his expression w T as so pleasing and 
calm that he seemed to be yet alive and sweetly 
sleeping. 

On the day of his happy death he appeared to the 
celebrated doctor, Thomas, abbot of the Canons 
Regular of St. Andrew of Vercelli, who had been his 
professor ; he was alone in his room studying and 
meditating, and after they had saluted each other 
Anthony said : " Behold, my lord abbot, I have left my 
earthly habitation in Padua, and I am going in haste to 
my country." He touched the throat of Thomas, and 
instantly he was cured of a disease that had troubled 
him for some time ; Anthony at once disappeared. The 
abbot, who knew nothing about his death, believed 
that Anthony was, in reality, going to his country 
(Lisbon), and he immediately went out after him, and 
not seeing him, asked the servants of the monastery 
where Anthony was ; they were surprised at this ques- 
tion, and said that they knew nothing about him. The 
abbot insisted that he had certainly seen him, and that 
Brother Anthony, in person, had told him this and that, 
that he had miraculously cured him of his sore throat, 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 33 

and that he had just gone out of his room. He caused 
a diligent search to be made in the city, but no one 
knew anything about him. Then he sent a messenger 
to the convent of the Friars Minor to find out if they 
knew anything concerning the arrival of Anthony; but 
the friars said that they had no news of him. The 
abbot, considering all that had occurred, judged that 
Anthony had in reality passed to the celestial country ; 
he took notice of the time, and learned afterward that 
Anthony had died on the same day and at the same 
hour that he had appeared in his cell, as the abbot told 
the friars, with tears of tenderness. 

After Anthony's death the friars did not wish to make 
it known immediately, because they feared that a great 
crowd of people would come to see him, and they tried 
to keep it secret ; but it could not remain hidden from 
the knowledge of others; God made it known in a won- 
derful way, and the news reached the citizens of Padua. 
Although no one except those who were present knew 
what had taken place, nevertheless, innocent children 
suddenly began to cry out and exclaim throughout the 
city: " The holy father is dead; the great preacher is 
dead ; St. Anthony is dead ! ' ' 

This rumor spread through the city in a short time, 
and the people, principally those who lived in the street 
called Campo di Monte, which then separated the city 
from the suburbs, where the Monastery of Arcella was 



134 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

situated, went to the monastery, accompanied by a large 
number of armed young men, to prevent the body being 
taken elsewhere. The people, putting aside every work 
and abandoning their household duties, went ,to the 
convent of the friars, to see the remains of the saint, 
and the number was so great that it seemed as though 
no one remained in the city. 




CHAPTER XXIII. 



STRIFE ABOUT THE PLACE OF ANTHONY S BURIAL THE BISHOP 

DECIDES THAT THE SACRED REMAINS SHOULD BE BURIED IN 
THE CHURCH OF THE FRIARS MINOR — OBSTINACY OF THE 
CITIZENS OF CAPO DI PONTE — THE BODY IS ENCLOSED IN A 
COFFIN— THE BODY OF THE SAINT IS TRANSFERRED TO 
PADUA. 

THE Nuns of St. Clare were very much grieved at 
the death of St. Anthony, and' they wept bitterly 
to see themselves deprived of such a father. They 
desired very much to keep the sacred body in their 
chapel for their spiritual consolation, and they suppli- 
cated the principal persons of the city, but the friars of 
the Convent of St. Mary were opposed to this, because 
when the holy man was near death he requested a 
religious who assisted him to take his remains to Padua, 
to the Church of St. Mary, and they insisted on taking 
the body to the city. The citizens of Capo di Ponte 
resisted strongly, and would not allow the body of the 
saint to be touched ; for fear of losing it they increased 



I30 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

the number of armed men who watched the sacred 
remains day and night. 

A great tumult arose among the people, who were 
divided into two factions; some of them favored the 
Nuns of St. Clare, the others sustained the rights of the 
friars, and they took up arms, with grave danger of 
serious trouble if the principal citizens and dignitaries, 
headed by the bishop, had not interfered. The religious 
had recourse to the bishop, Monsignor James Corrado 
Paduano, a man venerated for his knowledge and the 
sanctity of his life, and recommended themselves to his 
protection. He promised to help them, and called 
together the canons of the Cathedral to hear their 
opinion of the affair. Some of them thought that the 
body of the saint should be left in Arcella and buried 
there; others were of the contrary opinion. The bishop, 
taking into consideration the views of both parties, 
decided the question in favor of the friars, and ordered 
the magistrates of the city to lend their help in bringing 
the sacred remains to the Church of St. Mary. . 

These precautions, however, did not avail to repress 
the boldness of the people of Capo di Ponte, who per- 
sisted in their design to have the saint buried in the 
church of the Nuns of Arcella, and, paying no atten- 
tion to the orders of the bishop and the magistrates, 
made greater efforts to sustain their claim. They called 
others to their aid, and unanimously consented to resist 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 37 

every one, and to lose their goods and their lives rather 
than permit the body of the saint to be removed from 
the place in which he died. They became so deter- 
mined in this that some of them who were enemies 
laid aside every feeling of hatred and made alliances 
among themselves through fear of losing the sacred 
remains. They were afraid that they would be deprived 
of the body of the saint by fraud, and in order to better 
assure themselves, by a common agreement they tried 
to steal it. The bishop, who feared further disturb- 
ances that would arise from such an obstinate contest, 
deemed it expedient, with the co-operation of the 
friars, to put an end tj ihL tumult. He gave the prin- 
cipal citizens of Capo di Ponte to understand that the 
minister-provincial of the Friars Minor, who was absent 
at that time, was to come to Padua soon, and therefore 
he exhorted them to be quiet until his arrival, lie was 
a good religious and the head of all the friars of the 
province, and it was just that they should abide by 
whatever decision he might come to, since it regarded 
the burial of a religious subject to him. 

This proposal pleased the people of Capo di Ponte, 
and they quieted clown, going away from the Convent 
of Arcella. The friars closed the door of the convent 
with strong bolts toward evening, but at midnight a 
great crowd of men came, driven by the desire to see 
the sacred remains ; they attacked the convent and 



138 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

opened the door by violence. Notwithstanding all this, 
after having tried three times, they could not find the 
way to enter, though the door was wide open and the 
house lighted by a great number of lights; they were 
amazed, and were so blind they could not see the 
entrance, as they afterward affirmed. 

During the absence of the provincial the friars, fearing 
that the heat of the season would hasten the decompo- 
sition of the body, deposited it in a wooden coffin and 
buried it, covering the grave with very little earth. 
The people of Capo di Ponte, not seeing the body, 
thought that it was taken away ; they at once took up 
arms and clubs and ran to the monastery of the friars. 
They broke open the door, and, turning everything 
upside down, went to the place where the body was 
and searched until they found it. 

Finally the provincial arrived at Padua, and the whole 
city awaited the decision of the controversy. The 
insurgents, taking up arms again, went in all haste to 
him, asking him to leave the body of the saint where it 
was ; to their requests they added threats. The provin- 
cial did not show any resentment at their insolence, and 
made known to them that by reason of justice they could 
demand nothing, but if they wished that their request 
should be granted he would consult his religious, and 
would abide by whatever God would inspire them, at 
the same time adding: "In order that you may not 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 39 

suspect any fraud, I will permit you to guard the place 
where the sacred body is." 

On the following day (the fifteenth of June) the 
provincial had recourse to the magistrates, asking their 
advice and their aid ; they responded promptly, causing 
guards to be placed around the place where the body 
was, and at the same time prohibiting any one, under a 
heavy fine, from daring to use violence on the friars or 
to approach their habitation until the bishop and the 
clergy should decide what was to be done. 

On the sixteenth of June the bishop, after having 
again examined the cause, decreed that the sacred 
remains should be brought to St. Mary's. On the next 
day great preparations were made to remove the body, 
and every precaution was taken to prevent any disturb- 
ance. 

There was a solemn procession, at which the Bishop 
of Padua was present, with his clergy ; also the magis- 
trates, soldiers, and a great multitude of people. The 
casket was carried by noblemen and magistrates, and to 
the unspeakable joy of the Paduans the body was trans- 
ferred from Capo di Ponte to St. Mary's, at present 
called the church of the saint. All who could accompany 
the body carried lighted candles ; it was wonderful to 
see such a great number of lights, which made the 
funeral very devout, and at the same time imposing. 
When they arrived at the Church of St. Mary the bishop 



I4O LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

celebrated the Sacrifice of the Mass, and after the 
solemn obsequies the body was placed in a beautiful 
urn, which, by divine Providence, was found. 

The magnificence of the solemn ceremonies at the 
funeral of the servant of God was what might be 
expected from the singular devotion, gratitude, and 
generosity of those people, who all wished to honor 
Anthony, so great a benefactor of the city of Padua. 
Infinitely superior, though, was the magnificence which 
the Lord showed in glorifying before men His faithful 
servant, even after his death, for every tumult having 
been quieted and the people reconciled, He began that 
very day (the fifth after his death) to make him shine 
with a multitude of prodigies, so that whoever was 
troubled by any infirmity was healed by touching the 
tomb of the saint. For those who could not approach 
the tomb, on account of the great number of people, it 
was enough to invoke his patronage to be instantly 
healed in the presence of all. The blind recovered 
their sight, the dumb their speech, the deaf their hear- 
ing, the crippled the use of their limbs ; in a word, all 
those who invoked his name obtained from God, through 
St. Anthony's intercession, the desired favor. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

HONORS PAID TO THE SAINT THE CLERGY AND THE PADUANS 

ASK THE POPE TO CANONIZE ANTHONY THE POPE ORDERS 

THE PROCESS FOR THE CANONIZATION OF ANTHONY. 

THE citizens of Capo di Ponte, who were opposed to 
having the remains of Anthony brought to Padua, 
weeping, barefooted and full of sorrow for what they 
had done, went in procession, preceded by the clergy, to 
the tomb of the saint, and prostrated themselves before 
it with so much reverence and humility that the spec- 
tators were greatly moved. All the other people, ani- 
mated by their example, divided themselves into com- 
panies, and on certain days likewise went in procession, 
barefooted, to honor the sacred remains. Other devout 
persons, composed chiefly of religious, the bishop with 
his clergy, teachers of public schools, with their dis- 
ciples, professors of various arts, the magistrates, with 
the soldiers, also went to visit the tomb of Anthony. 
The matrons and noble ladies followed their example, 
and, with candles in their hands, went to the Church of 



142 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

St. Mary, with modesty and devotion, to offer their 
homage to the saint. 

While the city of Padua rejoiced at the wonders 
which God performed through the intercession of the 
saint, the renown of these wonders was spread all over 
Europe. An immense number of strangers went to 
Padua to visit the tomb of the saint, and the Lord was 
pleased to honor him by wonderful miracles. It was a 
great spectacle to see in Padua ' not only the people of 
the surrounding provinces of Venice, Vicentino, Ber- 
gamo, Brescia, Verona, Mantua, Trento, Lombardy, 
but also Spaniards, Frenchmen, Germans, Slavs, Hun- 
garians and Englishmen, who saw the miracles and 
favors which were obtained from God through the 
merits of St. Anthony, and they admired and praised 
His divine Majesty. 

Scarcely a month had elapsed after the death of 
Anthony when the clergy and people agreed to have re- 
course to the supreme pontiff for the canonization of 
the servant of God, and they sent ambassadors to Pope 
Gregory IX. They were received by him with great 
kindness, and the virtues and miracles of Anthony 
being well known to him, he appointed a commission, 
consisting of the Bishop of Padua, James Corrado ; 
Giordan Forzati, prior of St. Benedict, and John, a 
Dominican, prior of the Convent of St. Augustine, to 
make an exact and solemn inquiry into the miracles per- 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 43 

formed through the intercession of St. Anthony. The 
commissioners, obedient to the order of the Pope, used 
the necessary diligence for an affair so important ; after 
they had formed an authentic process, in the space of 
seven months, they sent it to the Pope, about the month 
of February, 1232. 

The judicial report having been made, the Paduans 
gave to the Apostolic See other instances, in order that 
the servant of God should be numbered among the 
saints, and they sent different ambassadors to the Pope. 
The bishop and clergy delegated two canons, with two 
Friars Minor, the magistrates and the city as many 
chevaliers of the first nobility, and all the doctors of the 
university united their requests in a letter to Gregory 
IX. ; but more efficacious were the letters written to the 
Pope by two cardinals, — Otho Bianchi d'Alerano, Mar- 
quis of Casal Montferrato, and James Pecoraja Pavese, 
Bishop of Palestrina, — who, having been sent as legates 
to Lombardy in the year 1232 by the Pope, at the re- 
quest of Emperor Frederic II., went to Padua at the 
time the people were discussing the question of sending 
ambassadors to the Holy See. These cardinals, having 
witnessed and well considered the many miracles per- 
formed at the tomb of the servant of God, gave to the 
ambassadors letters directed to the supreme pontiff, in 
which they testified to the truth of the miracles worked 
through the intercession of the saint. 



144 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

His Holiness, after be received" the letters of the am- 
bassadors and those of the cardinals, convoked the con- 
sistory of the cardinals, and ordered them to examine 
with diligence the judicial process of the miracles at- 
tributed to Anthony. He gave the principal charge to 
John of Abbeville of France, Archbishop of Besancon 
and Bishop-Cardinal of Santa Sabina, who was well 
versed in canon law. This cardinal finished the can- 
onical examination of the miracles in a short time, and 
immediately gave to the Pope the validity of the process 
and of the truth of the miracles, so that only the decree 
of canonization remained. 

His Holiness announced in the consistory his decision 
to enroll the servant of God in the catalogue of saints, 
and there were some cardinals who thought that the 
canonization was too premature, as a year had not 
elapsed since his death. Among them was a cardinal 
who opposed it more strongly than the others, alleging 
that such a cause should not be decided so hastily, and 
the Holy Father thought it best to put off the canonization 
for a time, and wait for another consistory. 

In the meanwhile God, who wished that His servant 
should be honored as soon as possible, permitted that 
the cardinal who had been so opposed to the canon- 
ization should have a vision, which changed his opinion. 
It seemed to him that he saw the Pope, dressed in the 
pontifical vestments, assisted by cardinals, also dressed 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 45 

as the sacred rite required for the occasion, consecrating 
a new church, and when the}' went to consecrate the 
altar they looked for the relics of the saints, but could 
not find any; then, looking around they saw a casket in 
which was a body coyered with a white veil, and the 
Pope commanded them to take the relics from that body. 
It seemed to him that the cardinals felt some repug- 
nance in looking at it, and, much more, to touch it; but 
the Pope insisting, they took courage, approached it, 
touched it, and they perceived a sweet and fragrant odor 
coming from the body ; from this they understood that it 
was the body of Brother Anthony. Finally, it seemed 
to him that all present were vying with each other to 
procure some relics for themselves, and all cried out at 
the same time : " St. Anthony ! St. Anthony ! " 

The next morning, which was the day on which the 
consistory was to be held, the cardinal told his domes- 
tics about the vision, interpreting it as a mysterious 
dream which the Lord had sent him so that he should 
understand that Anthony was worthy of the honor of 
the altars; and therefore, full of fear at having opposed 
so firmly the opinion of the others, he resolved to do all 
in his power to hasten the canonization of the saint. As 
he was leaving his house he met the ambassadors of 
Padua, who were going to request him to cease his oppo- 
sition ; but the cardinal, before they had time to say any- 
thing concerning the affair, said: "It is not necessary 



146 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

to make known to me your request, as I am of a differ- 
ent opinion now. I know well that Anthony is a saint, 
and therefore he is worthy to be canonized. I will do 
all in my power to hasten his canonization."' In fact, 
there was no one who worked with more eagerness to 
promote the cause of Anthony.- He persuaded the other 
cardinals who had been opposed to it in the consistory 
to yield to the judgment of the promoters for the can- 
onization of Anthony, and they unanimously told the 
Pope that it would be very unjust to take from Anthony 
the veneration due to him. 

All the cardinals having agreed, the vicar of Christ 
appointed the day of the canonization of the saint, the 
last day of May, which happened to be Pentecost. The 
solemn ceremony of the canonization took place in 
Spoleto, where, in the presence of a great multitude of 
people who came from various parts of Europe, was 
read a compendium of the great many miracles which 
were wrought through the intercession of the saint from 
the dav of his death till that time. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



MIRACLES OF ANTHONY 
CANONIZATION. 



HIS DEATH UNTIL HIS 



ON the day that the body of the saint was brought 
into the Church of St. Mary a woman named 
Cunizza, a hunchback, followed the funeral procession 
as well as she could, and when she arrived at the church 
she devoutly recommended herself to the saint, and she 
was immediately cured. 

In Concordia, a city in the duchy of Mirandola, there 
was a man named Frederic who imprudently had gone 
up the tower of the church ; unfortunately he fell, and 
he was horribly crushed ; some of his limbs were 
broken, so that he could not walk without crutches. 
He heard of the many miracles which the Lord worked 
through the intercession of Anthony, and he was led 
into Padua, to the tomb of the saint ; he prayed fervently, 
imploring the assistance of the saint, and he was im- 
mediately cured. As a testimony of that miracle, he 



I4S LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

left there his crutches, and, thanking the Lord and St. 
Anthony, returned to his home. 

Brother Theodoric of the Friars Minor, who for two 
years had been afflicted with an infirmity by which he 
became blind in the left eye, heard of the miracles per- 
formed through the intercession of the saint, and went 
to Padua to venerate the relics of Anthony and to im- 
plore a remedy for his eye. His hope was not in vain, 
for after he had prayed devoutly "before the tomb he im- 
mediately regained his sight. 

Rolandus, surnamed Bulgaro, had suffered for a long 
time with a severe headache, and he became so deaf 
that he could not hear anything. He had recourse to 
the saint, and had the happiness of having his hearing 
restored, after being deprived of it for twenty years. 

The same favor was obtained through the saint by 
two Venicians,-^— Leonardo and Domenico, — the first of 
whom had been deaf for four years and the latter two 
years ; both prayed before the tomb, and at once they 
were cured. 

In Monopoli a young man was digging a ditch near 
the convent of the Friars Minor, and one side of the 
ditch fell in, burying him under an immense pile of dirt. 
His mother cried out, and the religious came with 
spades and at once began to remove the mass of dirt. 
They thought the young man was crushed to death, but 
found him alive and unharmed. Being asked how it 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 49 

could have happened that he was still alive, he answered 
that when the immense pile of earth was falling on him 
he invoked St. Anthony of Padua, of whom he had 
heard in relation to so many miracles, and immediately 
the saint came to his aid, putting one hand on his throat 
and with the other sustaining the weight, in order that 
he should remain untouched, and in this manner he was 
saved from death. 

A certain Aleardino da Salvaterra, a valiant soldier, 
who had been a heretic from childhood, came to Padua 
a short time after the death of St. Anthony. While in 
a hotel one day at dinner he heard his companions re- 
lating the miracles which God performed daily at the 
tomb of His great servant. Being an unbeliever, and 
thinking that all these wonders were mere illusions, he 
became somewhat angry ; he stood up, took a glass in 
his hand, and, blaspheming, said : " It is just as possible 
that Anthony has worked these miracles as that this 
glass, if thrown against a stone, would not be broken 
into pieces ; however, if in this case the glass does not 
break, but remains entire, then I will believe that 
Anthony is a saint, and also believe in his miracles." 
Then, with all his might, he threw the glass from an 
upper window of the hotel upon the stone pavement; 
naturally it should have been broken into many pieces, 
and yet, like a solid piece of diamond, it remained 
whole. Aleardino, terrified at the sight of such a 



I5O LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

miracle, who had despised Brother Anthony and denied 
that he was a saint, became converted to the Catholic 
religion, believed in Anthony and his miracles, and re- 
lated and exalted everywhere his sanctity, which he him- 
self had experienced, in proof of which he showed the 
glass to every one, and preserved it with great care and 
devotion, among other relics of the saint. 

In consequence of this miracle, another one, not less 
wonderful, occurred. On another occasion, while Ale- 
ardino was seated at table he showed to one of his 
companions the same glass, and related to him the 
prodigy ; this man, who was of the number of those 
who regard themselves as learned and of great intelli- 
gence, declared that it was hard and difficult to believe 
the wonders attributed to the saint, and taking in his 
hands a dry piece of a vine which was then in a basket 
of grapes, said: ' l I will believe the miracle that you 
relate of Anthony when this little branch of vine, which 
is so dry, will become green again and produce grapes, 
from which I could squeeze some juice to fill my glass." 
Wonderful to relate, the branch became green, budded, 
and produced grapes, from which he squeezed the juice 
and drank of it. Such a prodigy of the Divine Omnip- 
otence made him tremble with fear, and he was so con- 
fused that he confessed himself guilty of incredulity, 
and weeping in the bitterness of his heart, he humbly 
begged pardon of God and of the saint, 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 151 

During the time that the body of Anthony remained 
unburied, on account of the disagreements of the citi- 
zens of Padua, Sister Olivia, of the Order of St. Clare, 
who lived in the Monastery of Arcella, near which was 
the hospice of the Friars Minor, where the saint gave up 
his soul to God, approached the holy remains with great 
reverence and devotion to kiss his hands, and among 
other favors she requested the saint to obtain for her the 
grace of suffering in this life all the pains which she 
would have to suffer in the next world for her sins, so 
that nothing should remain for her to undergo after her 
death. Having made this prayer she returned to the 
monastery, and immediately she was assailed by such 
excruciating pains that she could not endure them, and 
began to cry out in such a way that all the other re- 
ligious were in great trouble. She , became somewhat 
better toward midnight, so that the next day she was 
able to go to the refectory; but while there she was 
again assailed worse than the day before, and she began 
to cry out and twist herself like a snake. At this sight 
the religious believed that she was at the point of death, 
and the mother abbess ordered her to be brought into 
the infirmary, where the pains still continued, and see- 
ing that she could not endure them, she prayed to the 
saint, that by his intercession she might be freed from 
them. She remembered that she had a portion of his 
habit, and she applied it to her body; immediately the 



152 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

spasms and pains vanished, and she was again able to 
resume her daily duties. 

A young man of Padua was afflicted with a tumor on 
his neck. His mother made a vow that if he were 
healed she would bring him to the tomb of the saint, 
and there she would make an offering of a wax image 
and a torch. The young man was healed at once, at 
least in part; but as his mother did not entirely fulfil the 
the vow, having, through avarice-, neglected to offer the 
torch, the neck of the young man began to get worse, 
and his mother could find no other remedy for her son 
than to fulfil the vow. 

All these miracles and many others were verified in 
the canonical process, and were read in the Cathedral of 
Spoleto, in the presence of a great number of people, 
who with joyful acclamations extolled the holiness of 
Anthony. The supreme pontiff arose, and having in- 
voked the name of the most Holy Trinity, solemnly 
canonized the blessed Father Anthony and enrolled him 
in the catalogue of the saints. He decreed that his 
feast should be kept on the day on which he died — that 
is, the thirteenth of June, and granted the remission of a 
year's penance to all those who, every year, would con- 
fess their sins and devoutly visit his holy sepulchre on 
the day of his feast and throughout the octave. Then 
all the prelates sang the " Te Deum," after which His 
Holiness intoned the antiphon, "O Doctor Optime," 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. T53 

which was continued by the clergy. The supreme pontiff 
finished the solemn ceremony with the chant of the little 
versicle and the corresponding oration. A few days 
after the Pope wrote a bull, in which he notified all the 
prelates of the Catholic Church, exhorting them to 
venerate St. Anthony. 




CHAPTER XXVI 



BULL OF THE POPE ON THE OCCASION OF THE CANONIZATION 

OF THE SAINT PRODIGIES IN LISBON ON THE DAY OF HIS 

CANONIZATION. 

" Gregory, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of 

God : 
"7o Our venerable brothers, archbishops and bishops, 

to Our beloved abbots, priors, and other prelates 

of the churches, who shall see the present letter, 

health and apostolic bejiediction. 

'* PIXCE our Lord Jesus Christ says, through the 
<-) prophet, ' I will give you a name and praise 
among all the people of the earth' (Sophonias 3:20), 
and promises that the just 'shall shine as the sun in 
the kingdom of their Father' (Matthew 13:43), it is 
therefore a pious and becoming thing that We should 
venerate, exalt, and glorify those here on earth who, on 
account of their merits and holiness, God crowns and 
honors in heaven. Surely God, to make known His 
omnipotence in an admirable manner, and to work 
through His mercy our eternal salvation, frequently is 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 55 

pleased to honor here on earth His faithful servants, 
whom he always rewards and crowns with glorv in 
heaven, by rendering their memory glorious with signs 
and prodigies, by means of which heretical depravity is 
confused and unmasked, and the Catholic religion is 
more and more confirmed ; the faithful Christians shake 
off their idleness and negligence, exciting themselves to 
the practice of good works ; the heretics dispel from 
their hearts the darkness of the errors which blindfold 
them and return to the right road of the true faith, and 
finally the Jews and pagans, knowing the true light, run 
to Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Hence, 
my dear brethren, let us give thanks to God, if not as we 
ought, at least as we can, who, in our days, evidently 
renews the ancient wonders in confirmation of the Catholic 
Faith, to the confusion of the heretics, by making those 
great men shine with the light of miracles, who with 
their hearts, their voices, and their illustrious works 
have established the Catholic religion. Of this number 
was blessed Anthonv, of holv memory, of the Order 
of the Friars Minor, who, when alive, rendered himself 
renowned and illustrious by the greatness of his merits, 
and now that he lives in heaven, is honored by God 
with man\' miracles, in order that his memory should 
be proved by clear and undeniable signs. 

" Our venerable brother, the Bishop of Padua, and 
Our beloved children, the magistrates and municipality 



156 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

of Padua, having sent ambassadors to Us with letters in 
which they humbly supplicate Us, saying that as the 
Lord, to manifest the merits and the immortal glory of 
His servant, has been pleased to make his tomb renowned 
by many miracles, it would be unworthy not to venerate 
Anthony as a saint and invoke his patronage, We 
commanded that a canonical process should be held. 
Considering, therefore, that to be a saint before God in 
the Church triumphant final perseverance is sufficient, 
according to the Sacred Scripture : 4 Be faithful unto 
death and I will give you the crown of life,' yet in 
order that a man be recognized as a saint before man in 
the Church militant, two things are necessary ; namely, 
the virtue of his life and the truth of the miracles; 
that is to say, merits and miracles, because the one and 
the other should render testimony to each other, so that 
neither the merits without miracles, nor miracles without 
merits can be fully sufficient to authenticate one's sanctity. 
On the contrary, when the merits precede and manifest 
miracles follow, then We have clear signs of holiness by 
which We are induced to venerate the person whom God 
makes known to Us, by the preceding merits and by 
subsequent miracles, to be worthy of Our veneration. 
These two conditions are contained in the words of the 
evangelist : ' But they going forth, preached everywhere ; 
the Lord co-operating with them, and confirming the 
word, with signs, that followed' (St. Mark 16:20). 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 57 

Therefore We have judged it proper to appoint the 
above-mentioned bishop, and Our beloved children, 
Brother Jordan, prior of St. Benedict, and Brother 
John, prior of the convent of St. Augustine of the 
Order of Preachers, to receive the canonical deposition 
of the miracles of the saint. On account of the rela- 
tion made to Us by the bishop and by the priors, and, 
also by the deposition of witnesses judicially examined 
in this affair, We have been assured of the virtues and 
of the miracles of blessed Anthony, whose holiness We 
have also experienced, and his admirable company, when 
he dwelt for a short time with Us; moreover, being 
again supplicated by the bishop, the magistrate and 
municipality of Padua, through ambassadors and letters, 
to enroll the same Brother Anthony among the saints, 
therefore, in order that by the apostolic authority, a 
worthy honor should be rendered to him on earth, who, 
being freed from this mortal life, merited to be with 
Jesus Christ, and is actually honored in heaven, as it 
appears by the evidence of miracles, We have decided, 
with the advice of Our brothers, the cardinals and all the 
prelates near the apostolic see, to enroll him in the 
number of the saints, so that it should not appear that We, 
in a certain way, would wish to diminish the honor and 
glory which is due to him if We permitted that he who 
is already glorified by God should be deprived of public 
veneration. Since, therefore, the holy gospel says: 



1 58 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

; Neither do men light a candle and put it under the 
bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may give light 
to all that are in the house,' and because the lamp of 
the above-mentioned saint has been thus lighted and 
shining in this world, it has merited to be put not 
under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, We request that 
you should excite the devotion of the faithful to the 
veneration of him, and every year, on the thirteenth of 
June, that you should celebrate his feast, and order it 
to be solemnly celebrated, in order that the Lord, 
moved by the prayers of His servant, would grant Us 
His holy grace in this life and eternal glory in the next 
world. As We wish that the sepulchre of so great a 
confessor, who illustrates the Church of God with the 
splendor of His miracles, should be frequented with due 
honor, confiding in the mercy of Almighty God, and in 
the authority of St. Peter and St. Paul, We remit a year's 
penance to all those who, truly contrite, confess their 
sins and visit devoutly the same sepulchre on the day of 
the feast and throughout the octave. 

"Given at the city of Spoleto, on the third day of 
June, sixth year of Our pontificate." 

On the same day that the solemn ceremony of the 
canonization of St. Anthony took place a wonderful 
event occurred in the city of Lisbon. All the bells of 
the city tolled of their own accord ; the people, without 
knowing the reason, were full of joy and sang hymns of 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 



J 59 



thanksgiving to God, and it was something admirable 
to see men and women so moved that they could not 
refrain from giving vent to demonstrations of joy. A 
few days later some Friars Minor came to Lisbon, and 
it was learned from them that on that very day St. 
Anthony was canonized, and then the people understood 
the reason of their extraordinary joy and the miraculous 
tolling of the bells; for this reason they were full of 
joy and gave thanks to the Most High, who was pleased 
to olorifv their fellow-citizen, even among men. 




CHAPTER XXVII. 



THE PEOPLE OF PADUA BEGIN TO ENLARGE THE TEMPLE OF 
ST. MARY — CAUSES WHICH DELAYED IT — ALEXANDER IV. 
PUBLISHES THE CRUSADE AGAINST EZZELINO, THE TYRANT. 
REVELATION OF THE SAINT TO TWO RELIGIOUS — PADUA IS 

FREED — THE TYRANT SUBDUED THE TEMPLE OF ST. 

ANTHONY. 

IN the year 1.231, in which occurred the death of the 
saint, the Church of St. Mary was being enlarged ; 
but after his canonization, seeing that the miracles were 
increasing, the people of Padua decided to build a large 
and magnificent church in honor of the saint, distinct 
from that of St. Mary, but the plan was after- 
ward changed, as it was thought better to enlarge 
the Church of St. Mary and render it more majestic, 
as the body of the saint reposed there, which had been 
glorified by God with wonderful miracles. The work 
was begun, but it was interrupted on account of the 
disturbances caused by the tyranny of Ezzelino. 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. IDI 

Frederick II., Emperor of Germany, having taken 
possession of Padua by force, placed over it Ezzelino, 
who, in the name of this ambitious emperor, ruled over 
it for nineteen years, and he oppressed the people with 
such tyranny and cruelty that he became odious to every 
one. They resolved to shake off his tyrannical yoke 
and rescue the unhappy city from his hands and restore 
its former liberty, in which they succeeded happily. 
The authors of this memorable undertaking were Azzo, 
Marquis of Este ; Tisone, Lord of Campo St. Pietro, 
and the nobility of Padua, who had been exiled by 
Ezzelino. In view of the fact that the cruelty of this 
tyrant was becoming worse and worse, they became 
incensed with indignation, and they appealed to the 
supreme pontiff, Alexander IV., requesting him to succor 
the unhappy people of Padua, who ' were so greatly 
oppressed. The Pope was moved to compassion by 
their unhappy state, and resolved to promulgate the 
crusade against Frederic II., Emperor of Germany, and 
Ezzelino, a heretic and disturber of the public peace. 

The Pope appointed Monsignor Philip Fontana, arch- 
bishop-elect cf Ravenna, as his legate in the Marca 
Trevigiana, who went at once to Bologna, where he 
enrolled about six thousand crusaders ; he then went to 
Ferrara, where he enrolled a great number of the 
citizens ; from there he went to Venice, where he found 
the citizens equally well disposed, and they furnished 



1 62 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

him not only with an army, but also with war ships, 
giving to him as leaders two men illustrious in military 
affairs : Marcus Badoers, who was appointed by the Pope 
as legate, marshal of the army of the crusaders, and 
Marcus Querino, whom the people of Padua elected as 
their prefect. 

In the meanwhile Brother Luke Belluti of Padua, 
who had been a companion of the saint, and Brother 
Bartholomew Corradian, guardian of the convent of 
Padua, both belonging to illustrious families of the city, 
moved by the tears of their fellow-citizens, and by the 
terrible oppression of Ezzelino, prayed repeatedly at the 
tomb of the saint, confidently requesting him to inter- 
cede with the Father of Mercies to aid their unhappy 
city by freeing it from the cruel slavery of the tyrant. 
They heard a voice issuing from the tomb which assured 
them that in that same year, during the octave of his 
feast, the city of Padua would shake off the tyrannical 
yoke of Ezzelino and acquire its former liberty. This 
prediction was afterward verified. 

The legate apostolic, at the head of a powerful army, 
approached the city of Padua, and took possession of it, 
banishing the followers of the emperor and Ezzelino. 
Ezzelino tried to recapture the city, but all his efforts 
were vain. With his army he went to take posses- 
sion of Milan, but he was repulsed by the citizens; 
finally he tried to conquer Monza and Trezzo ; there he 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 63 

was taken prisoner and brought to Sonico, where he 
ended his days, unrepentant, at the age of seventy. 

It will not be out of place to give a brief sketch of 
the qualities of Ezzelino, as they are related by the his- 
torians. He was a man of middle size. When he was 
a simple citizen, serving in the army, though severe 
against his enemies, he was very mild, tractable, and 
courteous toward his friends, most faithful in keeping 
his promises, steady in his resolutions, wise and pru- 
dent in his counsels, and in all his actions an excellent 
soldier. After he began to have power he showed 
himself altogether different from what he had hitherto 
been, for he became austere in his countenance, terrible 
in his speech, proud in his carriage, and so ferocious in 
his aspect that with one look he inspired terror. He 
was the enemy of peace and the instigator of civil wars. 
He suspected every one and he always put a wrong 
construction on the deeds and sayings of others. He 
was avaricious to excess in accumulating money, spend- 
ing it only for the army and to enlarge his domain. He 
was such an unmerciful tyrant that he treated barbar- 
ously a great number of people and experienced no 
horror at staining his hands with the blood of the 
innocent. He caused some to be murdered, others to 
be shut up in dark prisons, having no regard for young 
or old, virgins or innocent children, priests and religious 
or laymen, who perished with thirst and hunger. He 



164 LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 

caused the nose and ears of noble matrons and young 
women to be cut off, and compelled them to live thus 
for the remainder of their lives. He did not even spare 
his own relatives, for he caused the death of his father- 
in-law, with all his children, by imprisonment and 
starvation ; also his brother Giramonte and a son of his 
sister, whom he cast into prison, where he perished 
miserably. 

As a sworn enemy of the Church he gave vent to his 
rage even against religious persons, and caused the 
slaughter of sixty Friars Minor for having taken the 
part of the people, and for having reproached him for 
his cruelties. He did not hesitate to deform God's 
annointed by depriving them of their eyes and cutting 
out their tongues, casting them into prison, condemning 
them to suffer hunger, and casting them to the flames. 

He was so blinded by avarice as to take the lives of 
those who possessed riches, so that he might have what 
belonged to them. He despoiled bishoprics, abbeys, 
churches, stealing the sacred vessels, gold and silver 
images of the Saviour, the Blessed Virgin, and the 
saints, to coin them into money. 

On account of his crimes and his enmity against the 
Catholic Church Alexander IV. was obliged to condemn 
him as a perfidious heretic, as well as all his adherents. 
He thus became odious before God and man, and when 
he thought to increase his power and to render his name 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 65 

famous, he ended his days miserably. A great number 
of his adherents belonged to Verona, and he made this 
city the centre of his atrocities because it was faithful to 
him. 

All the disturbances caused in Padua by the tyranny 
of Ezzelino having been ended by divine Providence, in 
the year 1 259 the work on the enlargement of the 
Church of St. Mary was resumed with great fervor. In 
the progress of years this temple became so large and 
so magnificent that it can be numbered among the most 
celebrated ones of Europe. The structure is composed 
of two parts ; the anterior portion is very ancient, and 
some historians are of the opinion that it was built 
some centuries before the birth of the Saviour ; the 
other is a new addition. The first extends from the 
eastern side of the door to the gallery, and this was the 
church donated to the Friars Minor in the year 1229, 
under the title of St. Mary ; the name was afterward 
changed to the Santo. The new portion renders that 
temple very majestic, and shows the great veneration 
and gratitude of the Paduans toward the saint, and the 
Christian piety of Catholic princes and other illustrious 
personages in honoring it with their gifts. 




CHAPTER XXVIII. 



TRANSLATION OF THE REMAINS OF THE SAINT THE TONGUE 

OF THE SAINT IS FOUND INTACT THIRTY-TWO YEARS AFTER 
HIS DEATH A POLE PUNISHED BY GOD FOR HAVING RIDI- 
CULED THE SAINT. 

IN this magnificent temple three translations of the 
remains of the saint occurred. The first took place 
in the year 1263, in which year the people of Padua 
had, according to Wadding, prepared a mausoleum, 
where the remains of the saint were deposited. At this 
solemn translation, which took place on the first Sunday 
after Easter (the eighth of April), was present the 
seraphic doctor, St. Bonaventure, then minister-general 
of the Friars Minor, who afterward was created car- 
dinal by Gregory X. and Bishop of Albano. This 
saintly general opened the casket in which the body of 
the saint had been for thirty-two years. The flesh was 
reduced to dust, like sand, and the bones remained bare; 
but the tongue was found to be intact, as if it were the 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 67 

tongue of a living person. The great' seraphic doctor, 
moved by this wonderful miracle, and weeping with joy 
and tenderness, took the tongue in his hands with rever- 
ence, in the presence of all, and gazing at it as if in 
ecstasy, burst forth in this memorable eulogy: tc Oh, 
blessed tongue, which always didst bless the Lord and 
madest others also bless Him, now it is evident how 
great a merit thou hast before God ! " He kissed the 
tongue with great devotion and gave it to the magistrates 
of the city, in order that it might be placed in a proper 
and separate place. The urn was therefore transferred, 
as we read in Valerio Polidoro, and other biographers 
of the saint, to the place where it is at present ; for 
although in the year 13 10 it was removed, it was again 
replaced in the year 1350, as we shall see. It was 
placed in a very rich and precious reliquary, formed in 
the shape of an ostensorium, as may be seen at present. 
Father Ignatius Martinez, a Portuguese, a member 
of the illustrious Societv of Jesus, returning to his 
country from the fourth congregation held in Rome, 
came to Padua to venerate the remains of St. Anthony ; 
he devoutly kissed the sacred tongue of the saint, 
and experienced a wonderful effect, for he felt himself 
suddenly changed into a new man and he seemed 
to be invested with the spirit and zeal of St. Anthony. 
After he returned to Portugal he began to preach in the 
apostolic style, with such fervor of spirit and with such 



1 68 



LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 



spiritual fruits that lie astonished all the people ; this 
was due to the veneration and devotion he had for the 
great child of St. Francis of Assisi. 

The second translation of the body of St. Anthony 
took place in the year 1310. On this occasion the urn 
containing the sacred remains was transferred to the 
middle of the church, because in the place where St. 
Bonaventure had put it was to be built a large and 
magnificent chapel corresponding to the great treasure 
that it was to contain and to the grandeur of the temple. 

On the fourteenth of February, 1350, the third trans- 
lation of the remains of the saint took place. Guidus 
of Montfort, a Frenchman, who was cardinal priest of 
the title of St. Lucy, Bishop of Port, apostolic legate 
of Lombardy, Marca Trevigiana, Germany, Hungary, 
and the kingdom of Naples, entered Padua, on the 
ninth of March, 1349, and was met by the magistrates, 
the clergy, and the people, and he took up his residence 
there. From there he went to Venice by way of Treviso 
and to Hungary, where he arranged a truce between the 
king of that nation and Ludovic, husband of Queen 
Johanna of Naples. In February, 1350, he returned to 
Padua, and in memory of a singular benefit which he 
had obtained from God through the intercession of St. 
Anthony, went to visit the church to venerate and give 
thanks to the saint. In gratitude to the saint lie caused 
a silver urn to be made at his own expense, to which 



JAFE OF ST. ANTHONY. 1 69 

the sacred relics were transferred, with great solemnity, 
on the fourteenth of February ; then the cardinal legate, 
in the presence of the Patriarch of Aquileja, the Arch- 
bishop of Zara, the Bishop of Padua, and many other 
bishops and prelates, celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of 
the Mass. The marble urn was transferred from the 
middle of the church to the new chapel, where it is at 
present. 

In the year 1350, in which the last translation of the 
saint's body was made, a terrible incident occurred on 
the tenth of April, as related in the history of Cortusi. 
While passing through the city of Padua on his way to 
Rome, a certain nobleman, called the Duke of Poland 
by the historians, visited the Temple of St. Prosdoci- 
mus, first Bishop of Padua, a disciple of St. Peter, who 
had also been Bishop of Rieti ; he also visited the 
Church of St. Justina and that of the Santo, admiring 
its magnificence and beauty, and asked whose temple it 
was. On being told that it was the Church of St. 
Anthony, protector of the city, a gentleman who accom- 
panied the duke began to laugh and mock the saint, 
saying: "Is he, perhaps, that Anthony in whose name 
the pigs carry little bells on their necks?" 

No sooner had he uttered these words than he was 
chastised by God for his impious derision, for the arm 
which he had stretched toward the temple was imme- 
diately paralyzed and the mouth from which came 



170 LIKE OF ST.. ANTHONY. 

such satirical and contemptible words was extended to 
the ears; he looked so hideous that those who saw him 
were horrified. The duke was frightened at tliis sight, 
and having asked the reason of such a sudden and 
terrible event, he was fully informed by his own son. 
After he heard the cause he became thoughtful, not 
knowing what to do ; but being illumined by God, he 
said: "Let us go and implore a remedy for this 
unhappy man from Him who justly punished him." 
They therefore entered the church, the duke leading the 
miserable man by the hand ; they went to the urn where 
the saint's remains reposed, and after having begged 
pardon, with many tears, for his fault, and having 
prayed devoutly, he obtained his recovery from God, 
through the intercession of St. Anthony, to the great 
wonder and joy of the duke and of the whole city. 




Dcils Metis et Ovmia. 



APPENDIX, 



CELEBRATION OF THE SEVENTH CENTENARY OF ST. ANTHONY 
OF PADUA IN ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH, SULLIVAN STREET, 
NEW YORK, JUNE IO-I3, 1 S95 . 

THE members of the Order of St. Francis attached 
to this church number over seven hundred. As 
soon as they understood that the seventh centenary of their 
glorious patron, St. Anthony, would be celebrated this 
year their enthusiasm was aroused, and they at once 
determined to do all in their power to have the cele- 
bration in their church worthy of the one dedicated to 
St. Anthony in the great metropolis of America, the 
country discovered by that illustrious member of their 
order, Christopher Columbus. 

The first step taken was to adopt means of carrying 
out this grand celebration. " Collecting books" were 
distributed, and were willingly accepted by many 
of the members. 



172 APPENDIX. 

The good mistress of novices, Miss Madden, and her 
zealous assistant, Mrs. Griffin, expect to realize, among 
the novices alone, the cost of the large stone statue of 
St. Anthony, to be placed in front of the church, after 
it has been blessed on the tenth of June, by His Grace 
Archbishop Corrigan. The worthy mother of the 
Third Order, Mrs. Hanlon, in fact, all the officers of 
the order, are resolved to leave nothing undone to render 
the coming celebration a grand success in St. Anthony's, 
New York. 

The members of the Third Order are not, however, 
left alone in this active preparation to celebrate becom- 
ingly the seventh centenary of a saint so admired and 
beloved as St. Anthony is by all the members of the 
church which bears his name. Hence, the Rosary 
Society, the Children of Mary, besides many others, 
are working zealously in the same good cause, thereby 
giving great encouragement to the Franciscan Fathers 
in charge to make many improvements in the church 
before the celebration. 

The interior of the church is to be thoroughly cleaned 
down from the ceiling and richly decorated for the 
occasion. The exterior also will have its flags and 
buntings. The sanctuary will be illuminated by numer- 
ous electric lights. By the sides of the main altar are to 
be placed, on massive brackets, beautiful large statues, 
one of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the other of the patron, 



APPEXDIX. IT3 

Si. Anthony of Padua. The present gas fixtures 
around the columns will be replaced by new ones 
richer and more suitable. 

THE GRAND TRIDUUM. 

Besides the novena in honor of St. Anthony there is 
to be a Grand Triduum — three days' special devotion as 
a preparation to celebrate more worthily the feast itself 
•on the thirteenth of June. Monday, the tenth, the 
Triduum will be opened by His Grace Archbishop 
Corrigan, who will celebrate the Pontifical High Mass 
and afterward bless the new statues. It is expected to 
have Pontifical High Mass also on the second and third 
days of the Triduum, and solemn Vespers and Benedic- 
tion each evening, with a sermon by some renowned 
preacher. 

On the thirteenth the solemn Pontifical High Mass 
will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Archbishop Satolli, 
Apostolic Delegate, who will also pontificate at the 
solemn services in the evening, when the panegyric of 
St. Anthony will be preached by the eloquent and 
learned Provincial of the Dominicans, Very Rev. Dr. 
Higgins, O. P. It is, moreover, hoped that the Sover- 
eign Pontiff, Leo XIII., will send his apostolic blessing 
to all who will be present. 

The musical programme will be directed by the 
•organist of the church, Madam Quesada, who intends to 
carry it out, as far as possible, according to the spirit of 



174 APPENDIX. 

Holy Mother Church. In the Gregorian chant, which 
• will predominate, the newly-formed boys' choir, thirty 
in number, will take a considerable part. The solemn. 
" Te Deum," in which both choirs and congregation 
will join, is to close the celebration in St. Anthony's 
Church. 

Let us hope that the powerful and benign patron may 
obtain for his clients in St. Anthony's parish the choicest 
favors of heaven ; that he will continue his protection over 
a people so intensely devoted to him. Nay, let us pray 
that this wonderful saint, this great thaumaturgus of the 
Franciscan Order, this special favorite of the Infant 
Jesus, may procure blessings, spiritual and temporal, 
for all who will unite in celebrating his seventh cen- 
tenary, that as the universal hymn of praise will ascend: 
to the throne of God in honor of His faithful servant, 
Anthony, grace may come down thence in abundance to 
convert sinners, to strengthen the weak, to comfort the 
afflicted, and give perseverance to the just. 

Panphilus Henny, O. S. F.. 



THE ORPHAN'S FRIEND 

For the Society of the Angel Guardian. 

This is a Quarterly Family Paper, Published with the Appro- 
bation of the 

most IRew Jobn $♦ Militants, 

ARCHBISHOP OF BOSTON, 

For the exclusive benefit of the orphans and destitute or 
abandoned children in the House of the Angel Guardian. In 
the eighth year of its existence, it is now a resource only second 
in importance to the Society of the Axgel Guardian. 
Without it the House could but very inadequately meet its 
demands. A constant and unremitting effort has been made to 
render it a paper that can be read with benefit in Catholic homes. 
Its contents are almost wholly original, the contributors includ- 
ing some of our best Catholic writers. The Orphan's Friend 
Stories, contributed by subscribers or members of the Society 
in competition for prizes, a feature recently adopted, will 'be 
found most interesting. It is printed in our Industrial School 
by the boys of the House. 

Subscribers, at the same time that they are procuring a first- 
rate paper for home reading, have also the satisfaction of 
knowing that their subscriptions aid the noble charity for which 
the House was founded, and entitle them to all the privileges of 
membership in the Societj' of the Angel Guardian. 

The annual subscription is only 2^ cents. With the receipt 
therefor a yearly card of membership in the Society is also sent 
when requested. 

All persons sending a club of forty subscribers at above 
rates, are registered Life-members of the Society, and receive, 
in addition, a desirable premium. 

Collectors helping to extend the circulation of The Orphans 
Friend can have the paper sent direct by mail to club subscri- 
bers as well as to individual subscribers. 

The Orphan's Friend is also published in the French lan- 
guage. Any of our readers desiring the French copv will 
please apply to (he Ho se of the Angel Guardian. 



When writing, name Town, County, and State. Subscrip- 
tions should be sent by Post-office or Registered Letter to insure 
safe arrival. Address, 

BROTHER JUDE, Treasurer, 

85 Vernon Street, Boston, Mass. 

The Orphan's Bouquet, 

A CHARMING, INSTRUCTIVE AND ENTERTAINING CATHOLIC STORY PAPER, 

... PUBLISHED BY THE ... 

BROTHERS OF CHARITY, 

House of the Angel Guardian, 85 Vernon Street, Boston, Mass. 



The public is no doubt already acquainted with our Catho- 
lic publication, titled The Orphan's Bouquet. But, in order 
to advance its circulation, we ask you to kindly give" this matter 
your attention ; and after learning the object of the journal, we 
earnestly ask your co-operation in its advancement. 

The Orphans Bouquet was established by Brother Jude, 
Superior of the House of the Angel Guardian, with a view of 
giving the boys of the Institution an opportunity to learn the 
printing trade. God has blessed the work. During the past 
year the success of the journal has been marvellous. But we 
feel that were its merits, as a Catholic story paper, more widely 
known, the success would be much greater, and the proceeds 
increased, in a way, to help the good Brothers advance their 
great work in the cause of orphanage. 

Our children and young people must read something ; and 
if not supplied with good wholesome reading, they will patron- 
ize the trashy novels and journals to be had at all our book- 
stalls. Unless something is done to prevent the reading of this 
vile literature by our young people, it will go on increasing in 
volume and repulsiveness until it is violently done away with 
by some decree of the Almighty, enforced in an effectual man- 
ner by bold and fearless reformers. 

There can be no healthy or reliable literature which has not 
for its^ object to elevate and ennoble the mind of youth, and 



lead all who read it to become good Christians and upright 
citizens. We shall do the utmost in our power to bring about 
this good result. 

This being the well understood position which we sincerely 
have taken, determined to adhere to it in the face of all dis- 
couragements, it remains with the clergy and people whether 
or not our journal will be the great success we hope it to be. 
We need a large financial backing to enable us to do pleasantly 
the great and good work we are ambitious to do; namely, the 
planting of virtue and goodness in all hearts, the inspiring of 
a love for our parochial schools, and soliciting the interest of 
all in their advancement. We intend to do this in the spirit 
of peacefulness and confidence, rather than in those ways which 
lead only to discord, wretchedness and ruin. 

Send us your name and address, or. the name and address" of 
any friend whom you wish to receive a specimen copy of The 
Or/>//an 's Bouquet. 

RATES. — Single copies, 5 cents ; subscription for one year, 
$1.25. Special terms to Pastors, Teachers, Agents, School 
Clubs, and Societies. 



PORZIUNCULA: 

Or, HISTORY OF ST. MARY OF ANGELS. 



TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN • OF 
REV. FR. BARNABAS OF ALSACE, 

By FR. UBALDUS DA RIETI, O. S. F. 

AND A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE THIRD ORDER 
OF ST. FRANCIS BY THE TRANSLATOR. 



Handsomely bound in cloth, stamped in gold, price $1.00. 
Handsomely bound in cloth, stamped in ink, 75 cents. Bound 
in paper covers, 50 cents. 

Published by the 

BROTHERS OF CHARITY, 

85 Vernon Street, Boston, Mass. 

ELISE: 

A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR. 

By S. M. M. X. 



A beautifully descriptive story of the late Civil War, por- 
traying" a child's simple faith in her religion and an unswerving 
devotion to the Blessed Mother. Relating her many adventures 
in shipwreck, and on the battlefield. 

Handsomelv bound in cloth, stamped in gold; Price $1.00. 
Handsomely bound in cloth, stamped in ink 75c. Bound in 
paper covers, 50c. 

Published by the 

BROTHERS OF CHARITY, 

85 Vernon Street, Boston, Mass. 



